Every morning, many riomois sit in their cars and, resigned, rush to the flow of traffic to work. In the vast majority of cases, it is towards Clermont-Ferrand where these vehicles rush.
However, there are alternatives to the car, be it the train or the bicycle. Travel time, cost, stress, carbon impact … Each of these solutions has its advantages and disadvantages. To see it more clearly, we wanted to try these different transportation options.
At three o’clock in the morning, we left the La Montagne de Riom agency, rue du Commerce, in the city center, at the newspaper’s headquarters, rue du Clos-Four, next to the square from May 1st. , in Clermont-Ferrand.
The results of our experiment can be found below. The key to finding the right solution for you? Take stock of your priorities.
By car
Living in Clermont-Ferrand, it is rather with a mocking eye that every morning I see traffic jams in the opposite direction. Before I finally found myself inside.
By car
It all started well, after a quick exit from the center of Riom and the fires playing my team. In three minutes, I arrived at the rue du Commandant-Sahuc without incident, to find my first red light. Ideal for listening to my playlist with serenity. The six kilometers of D2029 end up consolidating me in the certainty that I would have, without suffering too much, the first place, while enjoying the silence of the Zoe at 90 km / h. With the only drawback of not being able to accelerate enough at the start of the freeway, making it easy for me to get through the thermal ones on the right.
No matter, Zoe and I arrive safely at Cébazat’s “Forks.” A black spot (round) well known to motorists in the morning, and hazard lights that turn on, before the track on the boulevards Clémentel and Jouhaud. The traffic is getting heavier, but the traffic lights don’t stop me much. A few shortcuts along the rue de la Font-de-la-Ratte, to follow Michelin, I finally arrive … in front of a closed street, next to the stadium! No problem, the rue Toussaint-Louverture takes me back to my destination, avenue de la République and then rue du Clos-Four, alone on the line, at 8:25 in the morning.
Distance traveled: 12 km, on the D6, rue du Commandant Victor-Sahuc, D2029, les Fourches, boulevards Clémentel, Jouhaud, avenue de la République and Clos-Four. Duration: 25 minutes, arrival at 8:25 h. Carbon impact: 0.24 kg of CO2 with an electric Zoe (2.35 kg with a thermal one).
By bike
A priori, the slowest means of transportation of the three, the bike finally came out well with a good second place in just 37 minutes of travel.
Riom Test trip between Riom and Clermont by bicycle, train and electric car
At 8, when I get on the bike, I see that my competitors of the day are planning one last place for me on arrival. Anyway, at least I didn’t go down without explaining myself first.
About ten minutes later and after crossing the village, I arrived at the roundabout that allows me to take the D420 towards Gerzat. A long straight line of which I hardly see the end, but which in the end is well done. Although the small climb before reaching the capital of pansette hurts a bit.
Gerzat’s journey goes smoothly. Thanks to the bike lane, I even allow myself the luxury of overtaking a few cars slowed down by the traffic getting denser.
Then follow the path in front of the dairy and the intersection of the Gauthière district, always on bike lanes. Just 37 minutes after my departure, I am in front of La Montagne headquarters. Good back? No. Second behind the car and a short head in front of the train. A real satisfaction. Although a small shower would not be too much.
Distance traveled: 15.8 km between rue du Commerce in Riom and rue du Clos-four in Clermont-Ferrand via Ménétrol i Gerzat. Duration: 37 minutes, arrival at 8:37 h. Carbon impact: Aside from the little CO2 exhaled during my effort, absolutely none.
By train.
No effort, no stress. The train solution to get to Clermont-Ferrand is not the fastest – I came in third and last place – but it is certainly the quietest. So judge.
Illustrative photo
The journey begins with a short walk from the rue du Commerce to the station. Seven minutes at a normal pace is enough, with the luxury of walking around Virlogeux Square.
Lots of people pass by Riom station right now. But fortunately, the ticket machine is free. A few clicks and 3.70 euros later, here I am on the platform. It’s rush hour. It is also the busiest time on the train. 8:15, here’s mine. I boarded with about fifty more passengers.
There are still a few seats available, vacant for travelers who are getting off.
Around me, some read, others listen to music with headphones. My two neighbors, who are classmates, talk about light topics.
The landscape moves: here the Michelin circuit with, in the background, the chain of hills. And just outside Clermont-Ferrand.
Down with the stream of travelers. It’s 8:27 in the morning when I leave Clermont train station. After a few minutes of walking, I arrive at the Place du 1er-Mai. I just have to cross it to get to La Montagne headquarters.
Distance traveled: 600 meters walk on the side of Riom, one kilometer to Clermont. Duration: 40 minutes. This duration can be shortened by replacing walking and cycling. Impact of carbon : the carbon footprint is 0.25 kg of CO2 for this TER trip.
According to the latest statistics published by INSEE on its website (dating from 2018), 8 out of 10 riomois use their car, truck or van to go to work. Only 7.2% use public transport and 1.5% use bicycles or electric bicycles.
François Jaulhac, Nourredine Regaieg, Jean-Baptiste Ledys