How to rent a bike in Paris through the Vélib' program

The photos and text of this article are by Kátia Becho.

Riding a Vélib' is one of the best ways to explore Paris: easy, quick, affordable, and fun. Operating since the summer of 2007, the Vélib' (a combination of the words vélo + liberté) has become popular among tourists and Parisians alike, leading to an increase in regular bicycle sales in the city. There are now over 20,000 Vélib' bikes and more than 1,400 stations throughout Paris. According to the city hall, there is a station every 300 meters.

The stations operate on a self-service model, meaning that individuals arrive and complete the entire rental operation through a computerized totem. A chip-enabled credit card is required, as the totems do not accept magnetic stripe cards or cash.

There are two ways to purchase a Vélib' pass: for use over 1 or 7 days and for annual use. The first half hour is free. The tip is to switch bikes before the first half hour is up (every 29 minutes). This way, with a single payment of 1.80 euros, you can ride all day long.

Click here to read another article with the step-by-step guide on how to rent a Vélib'.

The Vélib' bikes are sturdy and have 3 gears. Throughout the city, there are markings on the pavement indicating where to ride a bike and where to cross the street. On major boulevards and avenues, the bike lane is typically the same lane reserved for buses. Drivers tend to be kind to cyclists, but it is wise to take care and always signal with your arm before turning a corner. Cyclists should avoid riding against traffic. The other day I did this, and a 'shock troop' of 3 police officers on bicycles surrounded me. The female officer glared at me and sternly told me I was wrong. She saw that I was a tourist, but if I were a local, I would have received an immediate fine.

The Vélib' website offers the option to switch to English or Spanish, click here.

Notes:

1- Read the comment from the reader Alessandra Soraggi. She used Vélib' in Paris and provides an excellent analysis of using the bikes.

2- Kátia Becho, the author of the article, explored Paris guided by a Parisian friend. Therefore, she was able to return the bike without issues before the 30 minutes were up. Since publishing Kátia's article, I've been concerned about this detail. I advise against using this option. It's better to pay the additional charges every half hour and enjoy the city without worrying about changing bikes every 29 minutes. I completely agree with everything Alessandra said.

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