Vive le Vélo: The Allure of Paris by Bike

The Paris Vignettes series features the inspired work of street photographer William “Bill” O’Such in themed installments

The Paris of 2025 is a striking contrast to the city I knew in 1995 when I first worked there at Kodak. Back then, cycling was a perilous undertaking — no bike lanes, just cars aggressively cutting you off. After the pandemic, however, Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s determined push for more bike lanes and traffic restrictions led to an explosion of cycling. For a time, it was pure Parisian chaos; many new riders simply disregarded traffic laws, forcing pedestrians to look four to six times before daring to cross the street.

Thankfully, the situation has vastly improved. More cyclists are now adhering to the rules, a trend undoubtedly bolstered by the police’s ability to issue tickets that add points to licenses. I’ve even had cyclists stop sometimes to let me cross. When the weather’s good, I can reach most destinations faster by bike than by any other means, and it’s certainly flatter than navigating San Francisco’s hills. A word to the wise, though: still look four times before crossing any major bike thoroughfare, especially the bustling Rue de Rivoli!