A LABEL SERVING MOBILITY
Established in 2021, this initiative enables cities that are hosting or have previously hosted the Tour de France to have their commitment to promoting cycling in all its forms assessed and rewarded. Whether French or foreign, rural or urban, cities applying for the label must highlight all existing measures to encourage cycling in their application and present short- and medium-term development plans at the local level (deployment of infrastructure, improvement of cycling safety, learning to ride a bike with the ‘Savoir rouler à vélo’ programme, parking and anti-theft measures, maintenance and repair, etc.). All these measures contribute to the growth of cycling as a means of daily transport, a source of leisure, and exercise.
Today, 190 towns are labelled cycle city of the Tour de France.
2026 APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN !
AGENDA
THE "CYCLE CITY" LABEL IN KEY FIGURES
- 5th edition in 2025
- 189 cities labelled since 2021
- 11 different countries
- 12.8 million inhabitants benefiting from infrastructure.
Four levels of labelling are symbolised by small yellow bicycles displayed on the signs that the municipalities set up at their town limits. The label criteria (set out in the application file for the second promotion, which can still be downloaded via the link below for your information) look at the cycling infrastructure development strategy, concrete actions to promote cycling (e.g. learning in school, awareness campaigns and recreational rides) and the support provided to clubs and various associations involved in cycling in their area.
Tour de France CSR Manager Karine Bozzacchi explains how the great disparity in resources between large cities such as Paris or Rotterdam and rural towns of a few hundred residents are taken into account when awarding the label, as is only natural: "While it can be hard for a small town to build a bike path, implementing 30 km/h zones in some neighbourhoods is more feasible and still shows a real commitment to supporting cycling as a means of transport."
If you have any further questions, please contact labelvilleavelo@aso.fr!
