Velib' Launch: New Bike Rental Service Takes Paris by Storm

Want to rent a bike in Paris? Doing so just got easier and cheaper. Sunday marked the launch of Velib', a city-run, 24-hour bicycle rental service that allows anyone to rent a bike for as little as half an hour or as long as a year, with the simple swipe of a debit card. Some 22,000 bikes have been installed at 750 rental points around the city, and hundreds more stations are expected to open in the coming months.

Short and long-term passes are available: you pay a flat fee of 1 Euro for a day, 5 Euros for a week, or 29 Euros for a year. The first 30 minutes on a bike is included in the flat fee, after which you pay a supplement. A pass entitles you to an unlimited number of bike trips for the duration of your choice, but again, each trip must be limited to 30 minutes each if you wish to avoid paying extra fees.

One of the advantages of the Velib' service is that you can drop off bikes at any rental point, rather than having to return to the spot where you initially pick them up. Seeing an exhibit, taking a stroll, or stopping to eat in-between biking is entirely possible, without having to worry about theft or elaborate bike locks.

On launch day at the Denfert-Rochereau station in south Paris, Velib' seems to be attracting a fair share of renters and curious onlookers. People are lined up to procure passes, and the general opinion of the new service seems to be favorable. "It's very practical, easy to rent...I was able to use my debit card with no problem", said Marie-Odile Cartier, a Parisian who said she has a bike, but was curious to take one of the Velib' models for a spin. "It's heavy, and not as adaptable as a bike with more speeds", she added. "It's not so easy getting up hills."

Other users echoed this opinion. "Overall, it's a great service," said Guillaume, a Paris-region resident who was dropping off a bike. "There are a few little glitches, but overall [the bike] works well".

Velib' bikes are unisex and are designed for maximum safety and comfort, with a sturdy, heavy-duty frame, headlights, and a basket for personal items. Bike helmets, however, are not available for rental at Velib' stations, something that visitors may find irksome: you'll either have to pack your own in your suitcase, or rent one from a bike shop once here.

Find more information on Velib' at the official website (in French)

Image: People try the new Velib' service on for size at a Paris station on launch day. ©2007 Ashley Byock.