Starting October 1st, the speed limit on the Parisian ring road, the Boulevard Périphérique, will be reduced from 70 km/h to 50 km/h.

This decision, made by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, aims to address noise and air pollution affecting nearly 9.7 million residents in the Île-de-France region.

Despite the average speed already being around 36 km/h due to congestion, the move has sparked controversy.

Critics, including regional leaders and business organizations, argue that the decision was made unilaterally and could negatively impact commuters, most of whom are from the suburbs.

The new Transport Minister, François Durovray, has expressed his disagreement, emphasizing the need for collaborative decision-making.

However, the measure will proceed, with a review planned in a year to assess its impact.