Paris has 20,000 bicycles for hire called Velibs. Velibs are a solid three-geared bike, fitted with lights, chain guard and luggage basket. They are available from 1,500 bike racks conveniently scattered around central Paris, roughly 300 metres apart. All you have to do is insert your credit card in a bicycle vending machine and select a bike from the rack. The first hour and a half is free and subsequent half hours cost €1 increasing to €4 per half hour. The hire time is calculated automaticaly from when the bike is released from the rack until it is returned to another rack.
The Velibs are popular. Since their introduction a year ago, there have been 27 million rentals with each bike travelling an average of 10,000 kilometres. So popular, in fact, that 3,000 Velibs have been stolen. The Velibs are kept in good working order by regular maintenance (500,000 repairs to date). Paris is extending the Velibs into the outer suburbs this year.
Tags: Paris velibs
