Mobility modes

To study road accidents in France, understanding users’ mobility is essential.

Shaped and influenced by major economic, environmental, and structural trends, the mobility of the French population evolves over the years. Depending on the geographic area where a user is located, the mode of transportation can vary. In rural areas, the car (passenger vehicle) remains the preferred means of transport. In contrast, users in urban areas tend to favor public transport, motorized or non-motorized two-wheelers, as well as walking.

Age is also a significant factor in studying the mobility of the French population. Children and adolescents (mainly 11-14 years old), as well as seniors, represent the largest share of pedestrians. The automobile retains a predominant role in the mobility of 29-64 years old, although bicycle use has increased in recent years. Motorized two-wheelers have seen growing use in urban areas, particularly in the Île-de-France area, where car traffic conditions can be constrained. Coaches, buses, trains, and trams must also be considered in mobility and accident studies.

The National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory incorporates these parameters into the annual report it produces. Indeed, each mode of transportation is exposed to specific risks. Pedestrian crossings, level crossings, urban tram lanes, and bus-only lanes are among the areas where users must coexist.

According to the Survey on Personal Mobility, the average “distance budget” of a person on a weekday for local mobility (trips of less than 80 km from home) is 26.5 km. Furthermore, significant disparities are observed according to gender. Distances travelled are often greater for men than for women (29.4 km versus 23.8 km). Differences are also observed according to age group, both in terms of distance travelled (mobility peaks among 25-64-year-olds at 34 km versus 29 km for 18-24-year-olds) and in the use of different modes, with older people walking longer distances and 18-24-year-olds using public transport more frequently (6 km versus 2 km for 65-74-year-olds). Finally, the use of public transport and walking is similar between men and women. Bicycle use, although higher among men (0.4 km vs. 0.1 km), remains overall low.