Untz untz Jérôme, could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello! I'm 36 years old and for a long time I've been passionate about rallies automobiles and off-road vehicles, for which I worked for 10 years, before leaving it all to become a bike-reporter.
" In 2019, a bike ride changed my life"
What happened?
In 2019, a bike ride in the Auvergne was an electroshock: I saw the concrete effects of climate change on local breeders. This experience prompted me to quit everything in January 2020 to reinvent my profession as a **video communicator **in a more ecological way.
How did you bounce back?
After my realization, I looked for a way to do video communication in the most decarbonated possible way. Cycling quickly became an obvious choice. I contacted a specialist company, who built me an electric bike with solar panels.
"I covered 1500 km in total autonomy with my solar bike"
What was your first project?
I wanted to cycle 100 km around Avignon. This project marked a turning point in my life. I discovered local tourism and short circuits. The project was a big hit on social networks and in the media.
I realized that true success lay not in status or material possessions, but in a lifestyle more in line with my ecological values. The Paris-Dakar participants, while admirable in their field, are not ecological heroes.
How did you feel on your first bike trip, compared to the adrenalin of the rally?
This trip reminded me of the sensations of my expeditions in the Moroccan desert, where I used to **lose myself in the dunes **on board off-road vehicles. But this time it was different: the journey by bike was closer, more intimate, and just as exotic.
To travel by bike is to be in direct contact with the landscape and the people. It's a simple, light and carbon-neutral means of transport, which has enabled me to have profound human experiences. Unlike the closed and noisy world of rallies, cycling has offered me **freedom and connection **with the world around me, redefining for me the true essence of adventure.
" The bicycle is a powerful tool for the ecological transition"
Why has the bicycle become the spearhead of your ecological commitment?
The bicycle is a powerful tool for the ecological transition. It's simple, light and has almost no carbon impact. What's more, it allows you to enjoy extraordinary travel experiences and encounters. And then, quite simply, because it gets us moving, cycling makes you happy, and this joy is passed on through the encounters I make on the road.
Can you tell us about an outstanding project you've carried out with your solar-powered bike?
One of my most memorable projects was to travel through several regional nature parks to document solutions for adapting to climate change. I met experts in biodiversity, forest management and renewable energy. I covered 1500 km with 15,000 meters of climbing, while being self-sufficient in energy thanks to my solar bike. It was an incredible experience that enabled me to demonstrate in concrete terms that energy sobriety is possible.
You are very involved in a number of environmental causes. Can you tell us about some of them?
The promotion of local production is a subject particularly close to my heart, especially when it comes to agriculture. Reconnecting with local agriculture and national cultures is essential to reducing our environmental impact. This means promoting organic farming and agroforestry, diversifying our production methods. Eat less meat, and above all avoid products from intensive livestock farming.
" At what point did we forget that cycling makes you happy?"
My commitment doesn't stop there. It extends to all **local actions **and to cycling, which plays a crucial role in my vision of a sustainable and happy lifestyle. Ultimately, it's by valuing the local, in terms of production and mobility, that we can create a lasting positive impact on our environment and society.
You often say in your reports that cycling makes you happy. Why?
It's a simple but powerful truth . At what point did we forget this obvious fact in the design of our towns and villages? You can't make people happy with streets full of noisy cars, where children can't play freely. You can't make people happy when they're cooped up in their cars, stressed in traffic jams, and dependent on their expensive vehicles.
Cycling solves many of these problems, but not everyone can cycle, and we need to go gradually. It is crucial to offer viable alternatives and to support people in this transition. For example, solutions such as telecommuting or local amenities can help those who live far from their workplace.
What advice would you give to those who would like to embark on the adventure of traveling by bike?
Don't be afraid to take the plunge, even if you're not a great sportsman. Electric bikes are a great way to get started. Get in touch with organizations and cycling communities that can advise and support you. Plan your itinerary well, and above all, enjoy the journey and the encounters you'll make along the way. The most important thing is to take the plunge and savor every moment.
Can we be so utopian as to believe that traveling by bike is a solution to air travel?
Traveling by bike is an incredibly sustainable and rewarding alternative to air travel. Numerous initiatives are multiplying to encourage this practice, such as signposted cycle routes like the Viarhôna, and services like "Accueil Vélo" which offer accommodation adapted to cyclists. Clearly, there's a real craze for cycle tourism.
But there are still so many current challenges. The air sector continues to grow, supported by subsidies and massive media promotion, while sustainable alternatives such as rail and bike remain expensive and less accessible. It is imperative that strong political measures are put in place to make these alternatives more affordable and attractive. Subsidizing sustainable transport rather than aviation is essential to encourage people to choose environmentally-friendly modes of travel.
" The media bombard us with contradictory messages"
In relation to the media, what exactly do you object to?
We are often confronted with contradictory messages in the media. On the one hand, we're warned about global warming and melting glaciers, and right after, we're offered **holidays to Djerba **for 300 euros all-inclusive. This double discourse is frustrating and counter-productive. But it also highlights the difficulty of reconciling environmental concerns with mass tourism offers.
Are you optimistic about the future of bicycle tourism and the ecological transition in general?
Yes, I'm optimistic. More and more people are turning to more environmentally-friendly lifestyles. Cycling infrastructures are expanding, and bicycle tourism is gaining in popularity. However, much remains to be done, particularly in terms of public policies to make these lifestyles accessible to all. But every little step counts, and I'm convinced we're on the right track.
" I'm optimistic about the future: cycling is growing and gaining in popularity."
Finally, what's the best encounter or experience you've had on your cycling trips?
If I had to choose one, it would probably be my "De parc en parc" project in the southern region. I crossed some incredible landscapes, from the mountains of Queyras to the Préalpes d'Azur, via Ubaye and the Var valley. It was in October, out of season, so there weren't many people.
What makes these memories so special is not only the beauty of the landscapes, but above all the people I meet. I'm in direct contact with local realities, far from screens and clichés tourists. It's an immense wealth.
