Paris Muse

A follow-up to our post about Velib: they now allow you to purchase tickets online, which is good news for visitors who have trouble getting their credit cards to work in the Velib docking stations (it seems the issue has to do with the smart chip, which most North-American cards lack).

You can choose a 1-day ticket for €1.70,  a 7-day ticket for €8, or a year-long ticket for €29. Velib requires a €150 deposit which is returned once the the bike is returned. Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Blue Visa are accepted.

Make sure your read the FAQ online to fully understand the Terms and Conditions before hiring a Velib. Once you choose the validity period of your ticket, and purchase it, you will receive an email with subscription number and PIN that you will need to enter each time you pick up your bicycle.

We’ve used Velib on many occasions and have never had any issues. It’s a great way to get around the city. And, given the heat this summer, a better alternative than the metro. Here is a handy checklist of things you should keep in mind when getting your Velib bicylcle:

• Make sure you have a map showing you where the stations are (click here for an online map). You can also download the free Velib iPhone app. Otherwise, inquire in tourist information areas or kiosks for a map.
• Before you take your bike off of the dock: check the tires, wiggle the handlebars/seat/etc. to make sure nothing is loose, spin the pedals to make sure they are not blocked. Note: if you discover a problem within one minute of pulling the bike from the dock, simply return it to the same place and take another bike immediately. Otherwise, you will have to wait 5 minutes.
• The first 30 minutes are free, which is usually plenty of time to get anywhere you need to go. If you go over the 30 minute mark, these are the charges: €1 up to 1 hour, €2 up to 1 1/2 hours, €4 up to 2 hours.

Purchase Velib tickets online here

Note: some stations will be closed this July 13 & 14 for Bastille Day celebrations. See this list here.

(tip for purchasing Velib online via Secrets of Paris on theparisblog)

Photo by carlosfpardo

Velib is a unique bicycle rental program in Paris that was started in 2007 based on the successful model of Lyon’s Vélo’v. The entire system across the city is automated. In the first year as many as 750 automated rental stations were opened, and this was increased to 1,450 the next year. The objective was that the distance between two stations would never be more than 300 meters. It can be argued that Velib is the biggest bicycle rental service in the world.

The Velib program started with 7,000 bicycles, but the authorities added more soon due to popular demand, and the figure has gone up to 20,600 bicycles. It was started to provide an alternative means of transportation for those who use the city’s public transportation system. Velib is also part of Paris’ green initiative to reduce pollution.

Here is a map showing the many Velib stations across Paris. Each station has stands where dozens of bicycles can stand at any time.

Renting the Bicycles

It is necessary to subscribe to the system to use these bicycles. Subscriptions start at just €1 for 30 minutes (plenty of time to get to most parts of Paris), €29 for a year, or €5 for a week. The week and year-long subscriptions allow the user an unlimited number of rentals within that time period.

For every individual trip, the first half hour is free. For each subsequent 30 minutes of use, the rental charge is between €1 and €4. So, if you are within a 30 minute ride from your destination, you could actually end up paying nothing more than the subscription.

As a tourist you can rent one of these using your credit card. For €1 you will get your Velib velo for 30 minutes. A €150 euro security deposit is taken on your credit card that will be returned the moment your bicycle is docked back into a Velib station.

iPhone app

Velib provides a useful (and free) app which helps you find the nearest station and the number of bicycles available at each one. However, the map is online, meaning you have to have a WiFi or 3G connection in order to use it. Tourists without international calling plans probably won’t find much use for this as they won’t have internet access as they stroll about town. But locals using the Velib network certainly will.

Tourists renting Velib bycicles at Place Clichy

Problems Faced By Velib

Velib has faced certain problems too, particularly because of theft and vandalism. Of the 7,000 bicycles that were introduced in the first year, as many as 3,000 ended up being stolen, and needed to be replaced. And of the 20,600 bicycles that were introduced in the next year, as many as 16,000 were vandalized or stolen. Velib bicycles have been spotted as far away as North Africa and Eastern Europe.

Official Velib page

Velib information in English (PDF)