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Ride a bike for free in Paris!
Need to run an errand? Need to get from point A to point B for an
appointment or to pick up something at the grocery store?
That's the reasoning behind Vélib’. The Vélib’ system
is meant for short distance errands and not to replace normal cycling activities.
By the end of 2007 about 20,600 bikes will be available at 1,451
stations; one every 300 meters in Paris.
The first half hour will be free. After that you are
debited for each half hour.
The bikes are available 24 hours a day with certain stations set up for bike
repairs.
Those who wish to use the bikes regularly can up by regular mail for an
annual pass.
However, occasional users can sign up for either a day or a week with
their credit card. Instructions are either in English, French or
Spanish. Eventually, they will be available in Italian, German, Chinese,
Japanese and Arabic. This is necessary since Paris has 27 million
visitors a year. Using the
Vélib'
NOTE:
When returning the bike, reattach the bike properly. Listen for the
beep. When light turns green, your journey time has been properly
recorded.
If you arrive
at a Vélib' station and it is full, the post will indicate the closest
station and you will have a credit of 15 minutes.
Increased bike
traffic
Since 2001, bike
use in Paris has increased by 48%.
Vélib’ will give
everyone a chance to use the bikes to travel around Paris conveniently
(Parisians and visitors alike).
For those sightseeing tours, your best bet is still the bike rental agencies
(Roue Libre) and tour groups because they offer additional materials such as
baby seats, helmets, baskets, etc., themed tours, organized rides, etc.
The bike stations
will be all around Paris and close to public transportation stops.
A
marker will give you information how to reserve and pay for your rental.
Pick up a bike at one spot and drop it off at another. The user and bike
identification will take only a few seconds.
The 451 simplest
stations are planned for the end of the year. These stations will not have
the special markers; your membership car will be sufficient to pick
of a bike by simply touching your card to the bike’s lock.
Foire de Paris
2007
Every year the
Mayor of Paris’ office participates in the Foire de Paris (Paris Home Show –
last week of April/first week of May). This year the Mayor’s office
presented Vélib’ (short for free bike) concept.
The system is
simple: you take a bike where you want and you drop it off where you want
(at the approved stations, of course). The first bike stations will open in
mid-July.
This new activity
will be a complement public transportation in order to make getting around
Paris easier for the residents and as an alternative to the car.
Pedestrians will
also save time getting from one spot to another. Workers who currently use
their lunchtime to run errands will find it faster to use a bike.
Vélib’ will also
be useful in the evening as a substitute for taxis and public
transportation.
Numerous bike
stations are planned as is the availability of a large quantity of bikes;
not only to satisfy the maximum number of riders but also due to wear and
tear.
How the system
works
The first half
hour is free!
Most bike usage
around Paris takes place within a half hour, which is sufficient to get
where you want to go (it takes about 25 minutes to pedal between Châtelet
and the Porte d’Italie).
Vélib’ proposes
three types of membership: yearly, weekly or daily.
Cartevélib’ for one year: 29 euros
The cartevélib’
includes unlimited usage for 12 months with the first 30 minutes
automatically free.
If you want the
bike for 7 days, the cost is 5 euros or for a day 1 euro.
If one of your
trips goes over 30 minutes, your membership card is debited for the
appropriate amount. Most trips from point A to B in Paris take about 20
minutes.
Ticket vélib’ –prices
for daily and weekly:
The Ticket vélib’
daily is one euro.
The Ticket vélib’
weekly (7 days) is 5 euros.
These tickets
include unlimited uses during the day or week; the first 30 minutes are
free.
After the first
30 minutes:
The next 30
minutes: 1 euro
Second half hour:
2 euros
From the third
half hour and every half hour after: 4 euros
You can find out
more information from the City of Paris. From mid-June Parisians will
receive a membership announcement with their magazine “A Paris”. You can
also find out more around the city after June 13, 2007 and by internet
www.velib.paris.fr .
You can pay for
your bike with your Moneo card as well. Moneo is the electronic card used in
Paris for parking meters and small daily expenses.
Brochures and
other information
A brochure with information about Vélib will be available from June 13. Look
for them at one of the participating 400 boulangeries-pâtisseries and
“tabac” shops.
Paris has over 370 kilometers of cycle paths and bus lanes identified with
the bike logo.
Certain bike areas are accessible on the smaller streets where cars are
limited to 30 km/h and in pedestrian areas (“Quartiers Verts” – green
areas).
After May 15, the first station locations and other information should be
available on line at www.velib.paris.fr
.
When you sign up for Vélib’ a secret four digit code you will be able to
control your account, add credit to your account, know how much credit you
have, where you have used the bike, etc. and you will receive a monthly
newsletter.
Allô vélib’
01 30 79 79 30 – From June 1, 2007, this will be the information vélib’
number to call with any questions about signing up.
Miscellaneous information
Céline Lepault is the head of the Vélib’ project for
the “Direction de la Voirie et des Déplacements” of Paris – liberally
translated as office of byways and getting around.
At the Foire de Paris, she said that at the end of 2007, an estimated 20,600
bikes will be available at 1,451 stations; one every 300 meters.
If a station is empty, the rider will be orientated toward another station
close by.
Vélib’ is safe due to high quality construction and its ease of use.
Ten to 15 users per day per bike are expected.
In order to avoid problems usually associated with changing gears the brakes
and speeds are integrated inside a hub. A cover protects the bike’s
components. The bike weighs about 22 kilos, which is satisfactory for a free
bike.
The bikes will be available 24 hours a day with certain stations set up for
repairs. Those who wish to use the bikes regularly will sign up by regular
mail for an annual pass. However, occasional users can sign up for either a
day or a week with their credit card.
Thanks to Suzanne for reminding me about the new bike system. |
May 2008
