Skip to main content

Cycling in chains?

In France an unusual cycle race has been held, for prisoners. Some 200 felons have been allowed out of the prison walls to race bicycles around the country, while under close watch from prison guards. This 2,300km race is no easy saunter around the park however, starting in the historic city of Lille, passing through 17 towns along the way and finishing in capital Paris. The aim of this unusual project is to help the men reintegrate into society by fostering values such as effort, teamwork and self-esteem,
February 29, 2012 Read time: 1 min
In France an unusual cycle race has been held, for prisoners. Some 200 felons have been allowed out of the prison walls to race bicycles around the country, while under close watch from prison guards. This 2,300km race is no easy saunter around the park however, starting in the historic city of Lille, passing through 17 towns along the way and finishing in capital Paris. The aim of this unusual project is to help the men reintegrate into society by fostering values such as effort, teamwork and self-esteem, according to the organisers.

Related Content

  • 2015 IRF Global Road Achievement Awards Laureate
    September 15, 2015
    Commuter traffic in the Taipei Metropolitan Area is a major concern for the city’s town planners. In 2009, a decision was reached to widen National Freeway No. 1 between Wugu and Yangmei on a 42km section of freeway on the northern part of town. The lane-widening project saw the construction of two new viaducts built along each side of the freeway. From the onset, the project presented tremendous challenges owing to various factors, including limited space for construction; passing through a geologically
  • VIDEO: Cycle parking at the office is getting easier
    September 7, 2015
    Highway designers are increasingly asked to integrate cycle lanes and paths into their projects in major urban areas. And many commuting cyclists are grateful for it, too. But what happens when the cycle path ends, even if it is right outside the rider’s destination, such as his or her work place, be it an office building or factory? That last few metres are essential for completing the perfect commute. This means being able to park the bicycle in a secure environment.
  • Nairobi road to nowhere?
    January 3, 2013
    International environmental pressure groups claim a vital road in Kenya goes through parkland as Shem Oirere reports. Kenya’s Nairobi Southern Bypass, a 28.6km stretch has become the second road project in East Africa to run into problems. Designed to the Class A International Trunk Road Standard, the route has been targeted by international environmental pressure groups following Tanzania’s Serengeti Highway, which was derailed last year. The US$208 million bypass will link Mombasa Road, near Ole Sereni Ho
  • Ireland releases National Cycle Network plan
    January 17, 2024
    There are 85 corridors of routes designed to integrate future and existing greenways and other cycling infrastructure, such as the Eurovelo routes.