France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a top‑tier cycling city with sustained investment, a vast network, and an ambitious 2030 plan prioritizing bikes—anchored by the Réseau Vélo Express (ReVE) and comprehensive secure parking (VéloPark).

Stolen Bikes in Bordeaux

Bike theft is an ongoing challenge in Bordeaux — current risk: High; severe underreporting (3% recovery est.). Learn how to protect your ride with our Security Tips and understand coverage options in the Insurance Guide. If your bike was taken, you can report a stolen bike in Bordeaux to alert the community.

Daily riders

≈8% modal share

Dedicated paths

≈1,506 km network (2021); ReVE 272 km underway

Bike sharing stations

179

Theft risk

High; severe underreporting (3% recovery est.)

Stolen bikes are commonly targeted near transit hubs and popular areas. Use two quality locks and register your frame number.

Quick map

Open Bordeaux on the map

View map

Theft insights

High; severe underreporting (3% recovery est.)

Security tips Insurance Report theft

Why it’s special

3rd Metropolitan Cycling Plan aims for 18% modal share by 2030

Réseau Vélo Express (ReVE): 272 km of higher‑standard “bicycle highways”

UNESCO quays and the Bridge‑to‑Bridge loop (Pont de Pierre ⇄ Chaban‑Delmas)

Le Vélo'c bike share (TBM) with classic + e‑bikes

VéloPark secure parking from station hubs to neighborhood boxes

Safety tips

Helmets mandatory under 12; recommended for all riders.

No phone in hand or headphones in both ears; €135 fine.

Use front white and rear red lights at night; keep required reflectors.

Signal clearly; ride predictably and yield to pedestrians at crossings.

Tram tracks are slippery—cross at a right angle and never ride in the groove.

Lock with two high‑quality locks and favor secure VéloPark facilities.

Ride like a local

Rules that matter

Use lights at night (white front, red rear) and maintain reflectors.
Signal turns; ride on the right and respect traffic lights and markings.
No phone in hand and no headphones in both ears while riding (fixed €135).
Children under 12 must wear a helmet (adult is liable for fine).
Walk bikes in pedestrian‑only zones and busy markets when required.
Folded bikes allowed on all TBM modes; full‑size bikes off‑peak on trams only.

Typical fines (EUR)

Phone/headphones while riding€135

Disobeying a traffic signal (e.g., red light)€135

No lights at night€11

Riding on prohibited sidewalk€135

Unwritten etiquette

Make eye contact at crossings; yield early to pedestrians.
Use a polite bell ring as a warning, not a demand.
Queue at lights; avoid aggressive filtering between cars.
Keep a straight line near tram tracks; slow in crowded quay sections.

Security & parking

Parking like a pro

Prefer secure VéloPark shelters or boxes near stations and centers.
Short stops: use official sidewalk racks; avoid blocking walkways.
Overnight: use monitored facilities near hubs or residential VéloPark boxes.
Always lock frame + a wheel to a fixed point with two quality locks.

Theft & lock strategy

Use a hardened U‑lock on the frame plus a secondary chain/cable through a wheel.
Register/mark your bike; keep serial and photos handy for police reports.
Park in busy, well‑lit areas or in VéloPark; avoid isolated spots overnight.
Consider a discreet tracker for e‑bikes or high‑value bikes.

VéloPark – Gare Bordeaux Saint‑Jean

Secure, access‑controlled parking at the main station and across the metropolis—ideal for day/overnight storage in a high‑theft environment (from ~€1.80/day).

Rent a bike

CCT Bike Rental

Hybrid/city/road/e‑bike (daily rates vary)

City • Hybrid • Road • E‑bike

O2 Cycles

City/trekking/e‑bike (contact for day rates)

City • Trekking • E‑bike

Decathlon Location (Bordeaux)

Subscriptions: City from €15/mo; E‑bike from €45/mo (3‑month min.)

City • E‑bike • Kids

Le Vélo'c (TBM) offers affordable short‑term access: 24‑hour pass €1.80, first 30 minutes free per ride; then €2.00/hour. Buy at terminals or via app.

Epic day trips

Bridge‑to‑Bridge Loop (city center) • ≈13 km

Pont de Pierre → Left Bank quays (Miroir d’eau, Place de la Bourse) → Bacalan → Cité du Vin → Pont Jacques Chaban‑Delmas → Darwin/Parc aux Angéliques → back to Pont de Pierre.

Roger Lapébie Greenway (Créon) • ≈47 km out‑and‑back (flexible)

Family‑friendly voie verte on a former railway toward Créon, with cafés and vineyard scenery.

Atlantic Coast via Vélodyssée (Lacanau) • ≈120 km return (segments)

Mostly separated paths through forest to the ocean; combine with TER trains for a shorter day.

Top safety cities

Oslo

Safety score: 92

Copenhagen

Safety score: 90

Utrecht

Safety score: 90

What’s next

Réseau Vélo Express (ReVE)

≈272 km metropolitan “bicycle highways” to boost safety, speed, and continuity.

3rd Metropolitan Cycling Plan

Strategic plan targeting 18% cycling modal share by 2030 with major funding.

Garonne Footbridge

New crossing to correct legacy gaps and prioritize active modes along the river corridor.