Advocating for Cycling via the Newcomer's Approach by Yann Moszynski, CityChange promoter
In the heart of Paris, a cycling revolution is underway, spearheaded by the city's new mayor, Anne Hidalgo. Her ambitious plan to increase cycling and car-free areas in the city is transforming the way Parisians commute.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Paris, Yann Moszynski discovered cycling at a young age due to insufficient public transit. Fast forward to today, Yann is not only a dedicated cyclist but also a prominent figure in promoting cycling in the city.
Yann, co-founder and creator of the cycling blog Les Rookies, has been advocating for cycling in Paris for over a decade. His passion for cycling began when he moved to Paris to study, and cycling became his natural way to get around.
Yann found the initial approach to cycling infrastructure in Paris, under mayor Bertrand Delanoe, too shy and insufficient. However, with Anne Hidalgo's tenure, the city has seen a significant change. During the pandemic, new bicycle paths were rolled out, initially intended to be temporary but made permanent after her re-election.
Yann and his friend Matthieu Tober created Les Rookies during the lockdown. They published a free, comprehensive guide for first-time urban cyclists on the last day of lockdown, May 11, 2020. Titled "The Journey Is the Travel Itself - No(r)way," the handbook includes advice on choosing a bike, dressing for the weather, and riding safely. The guide led to an increase in people adopting cycling for their daily commute and joining the Les Rookies cycling community.
The handbook received immediate and overwhelming feedback, with support from Anne Hidalgo's team, the Minister of Ecology in France, and the public. City officials from other cities have even requested printed versions of the handbook to distribute for free in their cities.
Yann emphasizes the power of social media in creating a community of people who want to change cities for the better. He encourages new cyclists not to feel judged or pressured, and to try cycling to see if they enjoy it.
As for Yann's future plans, he and Matthieu are planning an adventure this summer, travelling 500 kilometers through Norway. They will be filming their journey under the title irresistible paradox of discomfort, featuring interviews with cyclists from around the world discussing why they travel by bike.
The real behavioural shift in Parisians' attitude towards cycling came with the Covid-19 pandemic. With the increasing number of cycling initiatives and resources, it seems that Paris is well on its way to becoming a city where cycling is not just a mode of transport, but a lifestyle.
- Yann Moszynski, a prominent advocate for cycling in Paris, has also dabbled in fashion-and-beauty, launching a comprehensive guide for first-time urban cyclists titled "The Journey Is the Travel Itself - No(r)way."
- Apart from promoting cycling in the city, Yann and Matthieu Tober, his friend and co-founder of Les Rookies, have plans to expand their influence to food-and-drink, embarking on a journey through Norway to film their cycling adventure titled irresistible paradox of discomfort.
- With Anne Hidalgo's focus on creating more car-free areas and improving cycling infrastructure, Parisians are adopting a new lifestyle that includes pets, as more dog-friendly bicycle paths are being introduced in the city.
- Relationships within the Les Rookies cycling community have flourished, with members sharing their love for cars and shopping, organizing meetups and events that cater to a wide range of interests.
- Inspired by the cycling revolution in Paris, Yann and Matthieu are excited to explore home-and-garden destinations along their cycling routes in Norway, capturing the beauty of their travels and the spirit of adventure that lies within the hearts of urban cyclists worldwide.
