Obituary – Death – Cause of death News : In a tragic incident that shook the city of Paris, a 27-year-old cyclist named Paul lost his life after a dispute with the driver of a vehicle on Boulevard Malesherbes. Witnesses reported a deliberate act by the driver, who was arrested at the scene. The incident sparked outrage and around 200 people gathered at Place de la Madeleine to pay tribute to the victim, with flowers and candles placed in his memory.
The president of Paris en Selle, Anne Monarché, praised Paul for his efforts in advocating for a safer city for cyclists. She called for an end to what she described as “motorized violence” and urged the community to continue his vision. The incident highlighted the ongoing tensions between cyclists and motorists in Paris, with some residents expressing concerns about the treatment of cyclists on the road.
The tragedy prompted strong reactions from elected officials in the city, with Mayor Anne Hidalgo condemning the act and reaffirming her commitment to promoting cycling as a mode of transportation. Despite efforts to increase cycling infrastructure in Paris, there are still challenges to overcome, including tensions between different road users and the need for further regulation of SUVs in urban areas.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident, there is a renewed call to prioritize the safety of cyclists and reduce car space to create a more sustainable and inclusive urban environment. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting peaceful coexistence between cyclists and motorists on the streets of Paris.
The cyclist who was crushed to death in Paris by a motorist in an SUV was called Paul, an investigation is opened for murder
What were the circumstances of the cyclist’s death on Boulevard Malesherbes?
The events took place late Tuesday afternoon on Boulevard Malesherbes (8th). A cyclist named Paul, aged 27, died on the public road after a dispute with the driver of a vehicle. The driver, aged 52, was arrested at the scene. Witnesses perceived a deliberate attitude of the driver towards the cyclist, leading to a murder investigation.
How did the community react to the tragic incident?
Around 200 people gathered at Place de la Madeleine to pay tribute to the victim. Flowers and candles were placed in front of the Madeleine church. The president of Paris in the saddle praised the memory of Paul, who fought for a peaceful city where cycling could be done safely. Various cycling associations joined the call to address the issue of motorized violence.
What are the sentiments and concerns expressed by individuals affected by the incident?
Witnesses and members of the cycling community expressed shock and outrage at the incident. They highlighted the frequent challenges faced by cyclists in Paris due to motorists’ behavior. The incident was seen as a reflection of ongoing hostility towards cyclists and the need to address motorized violence.
What is the response from elected officials and authorities regarding the incident?
Elected officials in Paris, including Mayor Anne Hidalgo, condemned the incident and emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for cyclists. Efforts to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation have been a key focus for the city, although not without criticism and challenges. The incident has sparked conversations about regulating SUVs and reducing car space to prioritize cycling and pedestrian safety.
The events took place late Tuesday afternoon on Boulevard Malesherbes (8th). A cyclist named Paul (according to the Paris en Selle association which described him on X as an “active member”), aged 27, died on the public road, “after a dispute with the driver of a vehicle”, detailed to AFP the Paris prosecutor’s office. The driver, aged 52, was arrested at the scene. His teenage daughter, born in 2007, was in the vehicle, an SUV According to several media. Witnesses to the scene “perceived a voluntary attitude of the driver during the movement of the car towards the cyclist”, we specified from the same source. A murder investigation was entrusted to the 1st judicial police district.
“Motorized violence”
Around 200 people gathered on Wednesday evening at Place de la Madeleine to pay tribute to the victim. Flowers and candles were placed in front of the Madeleine church. The president of Paris in the saddle, Anne Monarché, very moved, praised the memory of Paul, who “fought for a peaceful city, so that we could cycle safely”.
The association, created in 2015, is at the origin of this gathering. Two other associations, Better Moving to Bicyclette and the Vélo Ile-de-France collective, also joined the call. “He is no longer here to defend this vision, but we are here to continue and I am counting on you, I am counting on us so that this motorized violence disappears”, launched Ms. Monarché.
“Like any cyclist, it’s a bit of a shock, we are often attacked in Paris by motorists (…) and reaching the point of running over someone, we reach a level of indecency, which goes a little beyond the reality of the situation” testified to AFP Fanny Lebizay, 31, saleswoman.
“It is a real crime which probably emerges from an ambient, recurring discourse against the bicycle”, agrees Denis Mirallier, a 59-year-old landscape engineer, living near Annecy. “Regularly, I take the bike or the bus and I hear that bikes are a nuisance on the road and that some (motorists) say: ‘The next time I see one, I’m going to shoot it’”
The accident sparked strong reactions from elected officials in the capital, where soft mobility, in particular bicycles, has taken an increasingly prominent place in recent years. “It is unacceptable to die today in Paris, at the age of 27, while cycling. These acts must be severely condemned,” declared to AFP the PS mayor of the capital Anne Hidalgo.
Elected mayor in 2014, then re-elected in 2020, Ms. Hidalgo made the development of bicycle traffic one of the main axes of her policy. “In ten years, we have developed the equivalent of a Paris-Bordeaux“, or some 500 km of cycle paths, Ms. Hidalgo said before the summer. In inner Paris, the bicycle has overtaken the car as a means of transport, now ranking behind walking and public transport. But these arrangements are far from unanimous. “We discover one morning that we have a cycle path just outside our house!”, criticized opponent Rachida Dati in 2020, asking for more consultation with district mayors.
“Reduce” the car space
By encouraging Parisians to take the bike to avoid the crowding of the metro, the Covid-19 health crisis has also given a boost to soft mobility, creating tensions. Cyclists are regularly accused of not always respecting the highway code. Communist senator Ian Brossat insists on the need to further regulate the use of SUVs: “In urban areas, their presence represents a danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and even for other drivers.”
The deputy mayor of Paris in charge of Transport, David Belliard, called on BFMTV to “reduce the car space again, again and again“. In mid-August, a driver driving in the wrong direction in the center of Paris hit two pedestrians, a cyclist and a person on a scooter, after refusing to comply. In 2023, 226 cyclists died on the roads of France, exceeding the threshold of 200 deaths for the third year in a row. Have you ever noticed how SUVs seem to dominate the streets of urban areas? Well, according to Communist senator Ian Brossat, their presence is not just a nuisance – it’s a danger. In his opinion, SUVs pose a threat to pedestrians, cyclists, and even other drivers. And he’s not the only one who thinks so.
David Belliard, the deputy mayor of Paris in charge of Transport, is also speaking out against the proliferation of cars in the city. In a recent interview with BFMTV, he called for a reduction in car space, again and again. It’s clear that these officials are serious about tackling the issue of road safety in urban areas.
The urgency of the situation was highlighted in a recent incident in Paris, where a driver going the wrong way in the city center caused a multi-vehicle collision that left two pedestrians, a cyclist, and a scooter rider injured. This is just one of many examples of the dangers that come with an overabundance of cars on the road.
According to statistics, the number of cyclist deaths on French roads has been on the rise. In 2023, 226 cyclists lost their lives in traffic accidents, surpassing the 200-death threshold for the third consecutive year. This alarming trend underscores the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to ensure the safety of all road users.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that action needs to be taken to address the issues surrounding SUVs and other vehicles in urban areas. Whether it’s implementing stricter regulations, reducing car space, or investing in alternative modes of transportation, there are steps that can be taken to make our roads safer for everyone.
In conclusion, the push for greater regulation of SUVs in urban areas is not just a matter of convenience – it’s a matter of safety. With officials like Ian Brossat and David Belliard leading the charge, we can hope to see positive changes that will make our streets safer for all. It’s time to prioritize the well-being of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Let’s work together to create a safer, more sustainable future for our cities.