Cyclists in front of the Saint-Nazaire bridge. – © J. Damase
- Traffic on the Saint-Nazaire bridge is difficult and dangerous for cyclists.
- The bicycle shuttle connects Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brévin several times a day.
- It is put into service this Ascension weekend and will be in service again at Pentecost.
It is the longest bridge in France (3.3 km). The Saint-Nazaire bridge is also the only way to cross the Loire estuary. Problem: its steep slope and, above all, its sustained automobile traffic make it a particularly inhospitable structure for cyclists, despite the presence of a cycle path. This is why the Loire-Atlantique departmental council has decided to set up in fine weather a shuttle reserved for bicycles connecting the south shore (Saint-Brévin-les-pins) and north (Saint-Nazaire). The device, free, is, this year, renewed from this great Ascension weekend. It will be again at the weekend of Pentecost, before a lasting recovery from June 26.
“The Loire-Atlantique is crossed by several routes popular with cycle tourists [Loire à vélo, Vélocéan, Vélodyssée] and crossing the Saint-Nazaire bridge poses a safety problem. We were looking for a solution and we decided, in 2017, to offer this road shuttle. We had also studied the possibility of a river shuttle, but it was more technically complicated, ”explains Jean Charrier (SE), vice-president of the departmental council.
A cost assumed for the community
The shuttle is accessible without reservation and offers nine daily round trips from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.. Bicycles are transported on a trailer and cyclists climb with their luggage in an eight-seater van (reduced capacity due to Covid). “You can access the shuttle from the car parks located at the foot of the bridge. It works well, both with cycle tourists and local cyclists. Attendance has more than doubled since launch. Last year, despite the health crisis, 5,000 people used it. “
The service costs 35,000 euros per year to the departmental council. “We consider it to be the continuity of a cycle path. It helps to develop the practice of cycling, ”explains Jean Charrier.
Reinforced in summer. And beyond ?
During the summer season, there will be a daily connection from June 26 to August 29. Between July 10 and August 15, the service will even be reinforced with a departure every 30 minutes in both directions.
The department is also considering extending the shuttle during short school holidays and weekends in June and September. “It’s a possibility,” says Jean Charrier. We feel that there is a real demand. The decision will be up to the new departmental majority after the June 20 and 27 elections.