VIBE

Pounding the cobblestones got you down? Pop by one of the 1,800 “Vélib” (or “freedom bike”) kiosks around town, fill in your details at their computerized checkout terminal, and you can start pedaling around with the city’s trendiest commuters on a chic, gray city-owned bike (complete with basket, bell, three speeds, and an adjustable seat) in no time. Bikes can be picked up and dropped off at any kiosk (there’s one approximately every 300 meters) and, with over 20,000 bikes available, there’s usually more than enough to go around.

GO HERE WITH

Cycling enthusiasts; friends

WHY WE LIKE IT

If the weather’s nice, this beats the métro hands down as a way to get around the city–it’s just as convenient, but you get to drink in the lovely cityscape as well. We like using Vélib’ for short hops between sights rather than cross-city trips, and we found it much easier (and safer!) to stick to the main roads rather than brave the narrow, crowded backstreets.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The kiosks don’t accept all US credit cards (American Express seems to be the most reliable). Also, issues with the bike checkout computer terminals can lead to the system incorrectly clocking how long you’ve had the bike, which is annoying.

GOOD TO KNOW

You must be 14 years old to use Vélib’, and 14–18-year-olds need permission from a parent or guardian before riding. In order to rent a bike, you will need to buy a one-day, seven-day, or one-year subscription, and then pay a half-hourly rental rate on top of that for each ride you take. Make sure you don’t lose your subscription code because you’ll need it to continue renting bikes for the duration of your subscription period. You will need a Vélib’-approved debit or credit card to rent a bike–check the website for more information about appropriate cards. You can consult your balance at any time by checking at any of the electronic kiosks. If your bike is not returned, you will be charged EUR 150.

In order to encourage riders to keep the bikes in circulation by returning them to a kiosk as soon as possible, the first half hour is free, and rates increase over time. If you arrive at a station and there are no free spots to return your bike, all you need to to do is check in and you automatically get another 15 minutes of free rental time. Also, certain stations (generally those that are more than 60 meters above sea level or far from the city center) are V+ stations, which means you have an extra free 15 minutes to get there.

CLOSEST COMPS

Hutong bike ride (Beijing)

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