All year round
What a great idea! You had imagined it happening, and the Paris city authorities have put it into practice.
So for getting around the city, forget those interminable walks and put your bulky and pollution-producing vehicle in the garage... ...from 15 July 2007, Vélib’ is offering a self-service bike hire system operating 24 hrs/24hrs, 7 days a week. It is simple and practical to use. If tomorrow, for example you want to go to an area of the city by bike: firstly take out a short subscription at one of the Vélib’ stations. For the modest sum of one Euro, debited (like the total cost of the bike hire) from your bank account, you will be issued with a ticket, valid all day. It is then up to you to organise where you go, knowing that your first half-hour will be free, the following half-hour will cost one Euro, then 2 the following and four for every extra half hour. As well as a daily subscription, there are also two other types of subscriptions to choose from: a seven-day one or an annual one.
From 15 July 2007, 750 stations some 300 metres apart will be open to the public, with some 1,451 expected by the end of the year. Your chance to organise that romantic cycling tour you have always dreamed of!
Velib’, is the opportunity to seek out all the back waters of the city and to combine tourism and ecology.
Full details about Vélib on the www.velib.paris.fr website.

F.H.R.

photo D.R.