Paris Offers Citizens and Tourists Bikes

July 18th, 2007 Wade

Next time your in Paris trying to unravel the mysteries of the Da Vinci code, check out their new transportation option, Velib. Velib is a made-up word which combines “Velo” or bike, and “Liberte” or liberate. It is the idea of mayor Bertrand Delanoe who is a socialist who wanted a way for everyone to travel within Paris without having to use a car or the subway. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve ridden the subway in Paris a few times, and I love the smell of vomit as much as anyone else, but I like this idea.

Parisians can pay about $40 per year and are given a Velib card they can use throughout Paris. Supposedly, every 330 yards or so there will be a bike station where you can pick up a bike. A one week pass would be $7, and a day pass would be about $1.36 (1 Euro). Just pick up the bike at a station, and drop it off at another station of your choice. The program is just getting started, but already has 6,000 subscribers. I’m assuming the city will have its own bike shop that will do maintenance, etc. It’s a step in the right direction and should be offsetting some carbon emissions while getting people out for some exercise. I think I’ll try it out next time I fly in to taste chocolat.

Velib Website

Entry Filed under: General, Outdoor News