Self Service Bikes in the City of Lights
Recently, I spent a three-day layover in Paris on my way home from a good-will trip to Kenya. Yes, life is rough. It was my first time in Paris, and I fell in love immediately.
Everywhere I looked, I found another reason why it’s the place I will one day call home. And it wasn’t just the self-serve coffee machines available every 10 steps that won me over, although they did help.
I’m head over heels infatuated with Paris’ environmental advancements. Public transportation is ultra-efficient – straight out of one of my wildest dreams. The trains masterfully criss-cross the city. I never had to wait more than two minutes for the next train or walk more than a few blocks to the next station.
What really impressed me, however, was the Vélib self-service public bicycle transportation program. Renters can purchase single day, seven day, or one-year subscriptions, each allowing for unlimited 30-minute bike rides.
Swipe your membership card to pick up a bicycle at any one of the conveniently located self-service stations (one station every 300 meters, or less than two-tenths of a mile). Run your errands or cruise to a restaurant for dinner. Go anywhere, but just return it within 30 minutes to any other station in Paris. The 30 minute limit ensures more bicycles stay in circulation.
It’s affordable, too. A single day pass runs approximately 1€ ($1.44), seven days is 5€ ($7.20) and an entire year is only 29€ ($41.75).
The program was initiated in 2007 with 10,000 bicycles at 750 stations. Today there are over 20,000 bicycles at 1,450 stations, and Paris is developing a similar system for electric cars cited for launch by the end of 2009.
I’ve since found out that systems like Vélib are popping up all over Europe. Wouldn’t it be great if one popped up in a city near you?
Image: vive l’aire des arts
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Great Article Dori!
I am so glad that you are able to share with us in the States what coolness you found in other places! I want to hear more! Your article is insightful and engaging at the same time – wow! It is awesome people like you who inspire many others and movement in a direction of positive ways!! Thank you.
Great article, Dori! I am not much of a bike rider myself (did they have any 3 wheeled bikes, btw?) but this is a fantastic idea. Too bad it wouldn’t work here… I love reading your writing!
If NYC had a bike system like this, I would use it every. single. day. For sure. That’s amazing. And a wonderful article, too!
Great story! I live in a bike-oriented town (as many cars as bikes, maybe less!) and this seems like SUCH a great idea. Wish they’d had something similar when I was in Sicily a few month’s back… would’ve made for some great touring!
Thanks for sharing the info on public bike rentals in Paris. What a deal! If I ever get over there I would love to try them out. My hope is that some of our cities in the U.S. will start up this program.
Great post Dori! I love the idea of ‘bike-sharing’ – and I also love Paris. If I lived there I’d definitely use the system – because owning a bike also involves storing it and the upkeep and the chance it will get stolen. ‘Sharing’ lessens the burden a bit. And Paris is awesome to experience via bicycle!
Nice writing Dori, congratulations! With my upcoming venture to Europe, I need this info on alternative, environmentally friendly transportation as i’ll have no car, and love bikes!
Nice post, Dori! I have only spent a day in Paris, but next time I’m there I will try these bikes out.
Thanks for covering this, Dori. As a Europe-trotting bike nut, this is valuable advice.
I’m amazed it’s just a Euro a day. That’s simply amazing. I’m presuming it’s heavily subsidized? I also like how distinctive they look, so unmistakeable – therefore warding off bike thieves who would oh-so-obviously be seen as such when the bikes are in unusual locations. Clever stuff.
But going up to Luanne’s point…I’ve seen a lot of crazy traffic in Paris. That would worry me a little. This was a few years back, so by the sounds of Dope LaRue’s comment, it’s changed for the better – but nevertheless I have memories of nearly being run down by uncaring teenagers gunning mopeds at me even when I was on the sidewalk.
(Or maybe I just have that kind of face!).
But yes, I’ll use it. Definitely.
The only problem with the Parisian scheme is that all the bikes end up at the bottom of hills. People hire the bike and ride it down hill and check it back in at a Metro station. When it’s time to go the other way, they don’t fancy riding back up the hill so they get the Metro instead. It’s a major headache for the city, working out the logistics of getting bikes back up the hill!
Also, at some popular destinations the bike bays sometimes fill up so people can’t return the bike and end up getting charged extra!
It’s a great idea though and it’s working well enough that it’s being copied all over Europe. In some cities it’s actually free (you swipe the CC as a deposit) and paid for by advertising on the sides of the bikes.
I’ve heard of similar bike systems, but never something so effective! Thanks for the insight into a cool community bike setup.
Nicely done. What happens if you go past the 30 minute rental limit?
It’s great to know about the public of the options that are waiting for us here in the States. As a whole we are addicted to our vehicles – just think of not only the environment improvements, but the improvement of the health of our citizens by getting the exercise we lack.
Luanne – from what I saw it looked like a very bike friendly city. I definitely saw a lot of bikes all over the city, and most of them were the public ones. From that, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the program itself that made the city so friendly to bicycles!
-Dori
Makes we want to just pack up my things and take a move to the city where all you need is a monthly bicycle pass and a little loose tongue. Amazing!!
It’s a great alternative, for sure. Is it safe to ride in Paris? Here in San Francisco, I look for the roads less traveled on my own bike. The low performance drivers in high performance vehicles are very aggressive and threatening.