The streets of Paris were alive with the hum of wheels and the spirit of inclusivity, Oct. 4, as thousands of Parisians jumped on their bikes, strapped on their skates and mounted their unicycles and e-scooters for a vibrant celebration of mobility and accessibility for all.
This was Dassault Systèmes’ Mobility Night Ride, an inspiring event held in celebration of the latest act in The Only Progress is Human campaign.
The 11-kilometer (6.8 mile) route took 3,000 participants through the streets of Paris, past the Eiffel Tower, along the Seine, under historic bridges and through tunnels to the beat of irresistible dance music, but it was more than just a starry tour of the City of Lights. The Mobility Night Ride was a demonstration of innovation, showing what a city could look like if barriers to mobility for all its inhabitants and visitors were removed.
Claudia Marques, worldwide senior communications manager here at Dassault Systèmes, described the atmosphere as “crazy, very crowded, but with all the people happy to be present. Even those not directly participating were out in the streets, applauding and supporting the riders. It was very joyful!”
It was also a celebration of a single individual’s passion, determination and dedication. Kazuhiko Kanno, a Japanese paracyclist and Dassault Systèmes employee, set a new Guinness World Record for the farthest distance traveled by handcycle in one hour. The day prior to the Mobility Ride, Kanno rode 28,331 (17.6 miles), completing eight laps in one hour at the Longchamp Racecourse in Bois de Boulogne Park.
“Everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, possesses the capability to achieve their goals,” said Victoire de Margerie, vice president of corporate equity, marketing & communications at Dassault Systèmes. “Kazuhiko Kanno’s record-setting achievement represents more than just speed and endurance – it displays his incredible strength and skills. Through our initiatives, we want to show the capabilities of the human spirit as well as shed light on the role of virtual twin experiences in facilitating new mobility solutions for a more inclusive and accessible world.”
Kanno’s ride was almost sidelined before it even began, when he broke the elbow break on his handcycle. A team from Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Lab jumped into action, 3D-printing a new and improved part within 24 hours, truly saving the day. It was a timely demonstration of how technology, collaboration and innovation are shaping a more inclusive future for all.
The Mobility Night Ride and Kanno’s record-setting achievement, spotlight the challenges of inclusive mobility as part of our “The Only Progress is Human” campaign, which is drawing attention to the major challenges facing humanity and those working toward solutions. Through software and digital solutions, including virtual twins and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the company empowers innovators to create products and services that improve people’s and their communities’ lives.
Marques said, “I don’t know if everyone understood the full purpose of Dassault Systèmes presence at the event at first, but they saw that we are working for human progress and supporting initiatives like Kanno’s. It is all about driving innovation that matters, working with humans and for humans.”
What’s next?
Stay tuned for the next act as we work with those who are pushing boundaries, opening up new possibilities and building a more inclusive world.
Watch Kanno’s full story:
Melissa Russell is an award-winning journalist and editor living in the Boston area. She has written for many news outlets as well as for websites, trade publications and other platforms.