Starting this summer, Paris is setting up a bicycle-lending program of 1,451 short-term rental stations with 14,100 bikes available by mid-July (this corresponds with Paris Plage, the “beach” they create next to the Seine every summer). The program will be called Velib (vilo means bicycle), and 20,600 bikes should be available by the end of 2007.The bikes are going to be sturdy with large baskets. And the rates will be very reasonable: one euro a day, five euros a week, and 29 euros a year. The first 30 minutes will be free. The city is relatively flat and easy to navigate so it seems like it will be a popular program. All bus lanes are open to bikers and the city has installed bike lanes all over Paris. The hope, of course, is that it will reduce the use of automobiles, pollution, accidents, etc.
PS – This bike was more yellow than it looks in this photo. Notice the name of the store.
