Before arriving in Paris I kept hearing, “Oh the best way to see Paris is on foot, walk the whole city, it's really the only way to experience it.” I'd rather be shot and thrown into a dumpster by the Seine. Walking is not for cyclists – it sours the guns, it's slow as hell. We are not walkers, we are rouleurs.
Enter the Velib – the word is an amalgam of velo and liberty, 20000 bikes, 1800 stations spread around the city. This was conceived to get cars off the streets and judging from the number of people using the bikes, it must be doing something right. These are not intended for sightseeing as much as they are a 24/7, nearly free way to get from point to point without a car and its associated pains. The bikes were custom-designed, 3 speeds, adjustable seat, a cable lock, basket, front and rear lights driven off the hubs. The coolest part is the sturdy male tab that easily mates with the base station. Post-ride you dock your bike into any open base, it locks, and you walk away. Brilliant.
Having been here for two days makes me an expert in all things Parisian, of course. The city is rather flat so the three gears are enough, the tires are tough, it's no speedster but really who cares? It's not your bike. No emotional attachment; use it and walk away. There is always another just like it waiting for the next ride. I've ridden a few of these bikes that needed some love but almost all of them have been great.
One subscribes to this kind of service. I bought a one week service for 8 euros. A whole year is only 29 euros. The first half hour is free, the next is 1 euro. You log in, grab a bike, adjust the seat, no time lost in adjusting the helmet as none are provided. Then you accelerate into the maelstrom that is Paris traffic; a torrent of motos, scooters, trucks, buses and bikes. Exciting and dangerous-absolument. But I figure I'll still last longer than that cyclist with headphones and cigarette.
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Nice Gianni. I was in Cycles Laurent a couple of months ago looking for retro jerseys while on a sock budget. Got socks. Cool store though.
Those Velib bikes weigh a fuque-tonne, but that keeps it all at a genteel pace, a nice change from the Mad Max attitude of some bicyclists closer to home.
Great write up and pictures.
@Ron
You should really try working on high-cadence walking, focusing on the heel-toe-push off, like you're trying to wipe parisian sidewalk dog shit off your shoes, without bouncing.
Gianni has been hard at work in Switzerland as well, worshiping at the UCI headquarters. The bottom picture is pure fucking class. The best bit of it being the full on perfect kneel form in fucking flip-flops.
Gianni continues to be my hero.
@frank
"The Faithful" photo is simply fantastic!
Class, Gianni, class!
I wish I took such good photos while on vacation.
Euro-kool
@Souleur
Boston just started a program modeled on Velib -- Hubway, sponsored by New Balance. Taken off like crazy.
@boston biwheel
Portland is going to launch a bike-share as well. We'll see how well it does.
@mcsqueak
No whistles included with the bikes I hope.
@Nate
Each rental bike comes with a complementary whistle, pair of tight black jeans, and a stick-on ironic mustache. Ne helmets allowed.