Paris on bicycle

So the new thing in Paris since mid july this year (2007) is the Velib or (the almost) free bikes that people can use to transport themselves around Paris. This, to many, would probably seem like a crazy idea knowing full well how the Parisians drive. Indeed, not only do they think rules are there to break, but they also tend to bring with them their baggage such as personal and interpersonal or existential crises in the car and drive even more like maniacs high on something. Zipping around Paris on a bicycle probably, at first impression, rates just below committing suicide by jumping from the Eiffel tower (better not be in a hurry as often you have to queue for hours to get to the top of the tower).

However, Paris has in the past few years been transformed thanks to the socialist mayor, Bertrand Delanoë. By the way, Delanoë is an openly gay gentleman and is one of only two openly gay mayors in western europe (the other being Wowie who is the mayor of Berlin). In the past few years, we have seen more buslanes that can be used exclusively by buses, taxis and bikes. spring up all around the city. This means that buses can go faster than private cars in the city, especially during rush hours, which is a good motivation for people to leave their car and take the bus. Everywhere we alos now see more and more bikelanes. As a side note, unlike in many western countries, use of helmets is not compulsory here though advised.
The Velib system means that you can take a bike from a Velib station, ride it somewhere and leave it in another Velib station in your destination. This is great for quick trips that do not last more than 30 minutes since only the first 30 minutes are free. Increasing fee must be paid for each additional half hour that you keep the bike. The station registers when you take the bike out and when you return it via stands where you would 'lock' or 'unlock' the bike.

You can use your credit card to become a Velib client for a day or for a week. To do so, you have to use the super duper looking machine/terminal (called borne) found in each station. the large screen guides you what to do and the small screen may affix information related to payment via your credit card that you enter in a slot as in an ATM. Instructions are available in English as well. Those living here can take a one year subscription for a mere 29 euros. A 150 euros deposit will be required though (either via credit card for short term subscription or cheque for one year subscription) which will be cashed in if you do not return the bike to a station after 24 hours.

The bikes themselves, silver grey in color, do not really look as aerodynamic as many regular bikes because they include a lot of safety features and extras. There is a bell which is necessary when you ride in Paris streets. There are front and back lights. The bike also has large comfortable sadle and covers for the tires so that you don't get off your bike covered in mud spots if you ride in the rain which would be useful in the winter in Paris. The bike has three speeds controlled by turning the handle. I have noticed that the gears change not in a graded fashion but rather abrupt: you will be pedaling along calmly and notice that the street is on a slight incline, you change gear and you will suddenly be pedaling like mad whilst going rather slowly!

The trick to use the Velib if you have to go somewhere a bit further than the free 30 minutes is of course to take out a bike for half hour, return it to a station and take another one. This way, all is free. The 30 minute free ride is applied each time you take out a bike no matter how many times you do it during the day. You cannot however lock in a bike in a station and try to get out another right away. Just relax and smoke half a cigarette or chat with the Velib service men (many are young and cute) and you will be good to take another bike for another free half hour.

Bikelanes in Paris can be lanes that are shared with buses and taxis (so watch out for crazy taxi drivers or irritated bus drivers), bike only lanes next to regular lanes for cars, or lanes on the sidewalk when these are large enough, marked to indicate to pedestrians that the lanes are reserved for cyclists (Here, you will be ringing your bell all the time as many pedestrians ignore the reserved for cyclists signs, especially on sidewalks along boulevard Magenta from Republique all the way to Barbes). Normally you have no right to ride your bike on the sidewalk except in cases where they are indicated. One of the most pleasant sidewalk bike lanes can be found from Metro station Alma Marceau to Concorde: tree covered lanes, la seine on one side and beatiful Hausmannian buildings on the other side...this is Paris, beautiful Paris at its best.

Whilst riding, be vigilant at all times and always remember that Parisian drivers often do not respect rules or right of way. You can force your way, of course, but you are on a bike and they are in a car...you will lose, trust me.

Problems that I have encountered in using Velib include no bike in a station or stations that are full and thus have no stand to lock and register the return of your bike when you arrive in your destination. No worries, just swipe your card or enter your details on the terminal or borne. The machine will know that the station is full and will give you 15 minutes extra and show a map of nearby stations where there are stands where you can safely leave your bike (which should automatically lock and register its return by two short beeps). In the case of an empty station and you wish to take a bike, just walk to another station (there is one every 300 meters) or wait for the service truck to arrive with bikes. These trucks circle Paris all day long to make sure there are bikes at stations or take out bikes from full stations so that people can return their bikes.

Best to check that the bike is in a good condition before you take it out. (tyres and chain especially). Loosening the saddle and turning in frontside back seems to have developed as a code among users to indicate to each other that the bike needs repairs (broken chain, flat tyre or even steering bar that does not align with the wheel!). Aside from evening out the distribution of bikes across stations, the service trucks also repair damaged bikes either on site or taking them to their shop.

They say Paris is best discovered on foot. Well, now you can do it on a bike. Cool.