wellness
New Protected Bike Paths Open Along Canal Saint Martin for Families
New protected paths on the canal's east and west banks give parents and novices flat, low-traffic options that link two neighbourhood parks.
How we reported this
Protected bike lanes opened last week on both sides of the Canal Saint Martin between the lock at Rue de Lancry and the basin at Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, giving families and first-time riders a 2.8-kilometre flat loop free of motor traffic during daylight hours.
The routes matter now because school summer holidays began on 4 July and the Mairie du 10e has recorded a 40 percent rise in family bike-hire requests compared with the same week in 2025, driven by residents seeking outdoor activity within the arrondissement rather than travelling across the périphérique.
Two parks anchor the new network
Jardin Villemin on Rue des Récollets supplies the southern starting point with its wide entrance plaza and adjacent Vélib' station that stocks 30 child seats. Square Frédéric-Lemaître at the northern end offers a second shaded rest area with drinking fountains and a small repair stand installed by the local cycling association Paris à Vélo in May. Both parks connect directly to the new canal-side paths via signal-controlled crossings at Rue Bichat and Avenue Richerand.
City data released on 6 July shows the canal paths recorded 1,240 daily crossings by riders under 12 in the first three days after opening, with average speeds below 12 km/h. Rentals from the two on-site stands cost €5 for two hours including helmet and lock; the same equipment is available at the Mairie annexe on Rue du Faubourg du Temple every Saturday morning from 9 a.m.
Practical next steps for families
Parents can download the free Balade à Vélo map from the 10e arrondissement website, which marks the exact hours when the lanes are closed to delivery vehicles. Riders are advised to begin at Jardin Villemin before 10 a.m. to avoid peak foot traffic near the locks and to return via Square Frédéric-Lemaître where the repair stand operates until 6 p.m. on weekdays. Those needing further guidance can join the free Saturday family roll organised by Paris à Vélo that departs from the Rue de Lancry lock at 10:30 a.m. and covers the full loop in under 45 minutes.