Paris is doubling down on its vision of a greener future, voting to close 500 more streets to cars in favor of bike lanes, trees, and pedestrian-friendly spaces. The move follows a similar initiative in 2020 that transformed 300 streets, and this latest expansion aims to reduce pollution and urban heat across the city.
Although voter turnout was low—just 4%—two-thirds of participants supported the plan, which includes removing 10% of the city’s parking spots and creating “green streets” with both paving and planted areas. Each redesigned street is expected to receive around €500,000 in funding.
Across the Channel, a new UK town called Waterbeach is putting the car second and bicycles first. Built on a former Royal Air Force base near Cambridge, the community is designed with cycling at its core: kids walk or bike to school, and 16 km of bike paths were laid down before the first home was built. As cities and towns rethink the role of cars in everyday life, both Paris and Waterbeach are offering bold blueprints for what a more human-centered, bike-friendly future could look like.