As Deputy Mayor David Belliard of Europe Ecologie-Les Verts (EELV) aptly notes, cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new attendance records and reshaping the urban landscape in the process.
The big difference is the size of the administrative area. Paris is obviously a much larger city, but the mayor only controls about 100km^2 containing 2 million people, whereas in Berlin the equivalent is almost 900km^2 and 3.5 million people. So while Paris can focus heavily on the concerns of the people that actually love in the city and don’t care much for those driving in, Berlin has to cater towards much more suburban interests.