May by Bike
Congratulations to the entire University of Montpellier community!
This year’s “Mai à Vélo” event was a huge success, breaking last year’s records! In total, the entire university community cycled 27,916 kilometers during the month of May 2026, placing the university in fifth place in the university rankings.
Beyond the collective achievement, this commitment helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainable transportation. The kilometers traveled during this challenge prevented the emission of approximately 4 metric tons of CO2e compared to trips taken by gasoline-powered cars.
* CO₂e = CO₂ equivalent, that is, the unit of measurement created by the IPCC to standardize and measure the climate impacts of various greenhouse gases.
As part of this event, participatory and community-oriented bike repair workshops were offered on the Richter and Triolet campuses for staff and students. Led by the nonprofit Le Vieux Biclou, these workshops allowed participants to learn simple yet essential techniques for repairing and maintaining their bikes. In total, about thirty people benefited from this valuable advice and minor repairs; the event was a huge hit!
As a reminder, “Mai à Vélo” is a national event designed to promote cycling, both as a means of transportation and as a recreational activity. Local governments, organizations, businesses, as well as schools and universities can join the movement by encouraging their respective communities to ride bikes to cover as many kilometers as possible. Nationwide, more than 19.8 million kilometers were covered this year by 3,809 communities.