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Paris Gears Up For Pedal Power

City hopes shared bikes will make a dent in ze car traffic

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2007 5:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – Paris began offering free bikes at stations throughout the city yesterday in a new initiative to ease car traffic. Cyclists can use any of  20,000 heavy-duty bikes parked at 750 locations around the capital by swiping a transportation card that costs $1.36 for the day and up tp $40 for an annual pass.

Bikers are charged a modest fee after the first free half hour and can return the bikes at any stand. Paris officials hope the program, known as Velib—a combination of the French words for bike and free—will have 20,000 regular users by the end of the year.

A passerby asks information of a Velib' employee, left, at a Velib station in Paris in this June 13, 2007 file photo. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town, at 750 stations _ and the number of bikes and stations will nearly double...
A passerby asks information of a Velib' employee, left, at a Velib station in Paris in this June 13, 2007 file photo. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town, at 750 stations...   (Associated Press)
Tourists and Velib' employees gather at a Velib station Georges V avenue, in Paris in this June 13, 2007 file photo. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town, at 750 stations _ and the number of bikes and stations will nearly double by...
Tourists and Velib' employees gather at a Velib station Georges V avenue, in Paris in this June 13, 2007 file photo. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town, at 750 stations...   (Associated Press)
Men examine new bicycles known as Velib in Paris, Saturday, July 14, 2007. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town at 750 stations, and the numbers of both will nearly double by the year's end. The great news for tourists is that City...
Men examine new bicycles known as "Velib" in Paris, Saturday, July 14, 2007. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town at 750 stations, and the numbers of both will nearly...   (Associated Press)
A man rides his bicycle past a row of new bicycles known as Velib in Paris, Saturday July 14, 2007. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town at 750 stations, and the numbers of both will nearly double by the year's end. The...
A man rides his bicycle past a row of new bicycles known as "Velib" in Paris, Saturday July 14, 2007. Starting July 15, more than 10,600 bikes will be posted all over town at 750 stations, and the numbers...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Paris on two wheels   (dessyxxx (YouTube))
VELIB - the Paris Free Pushbike Scheme   (wallyworld (YouTube))
los dispo par la Mairie de Paris   (pierremoutard (YouTube))

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environment • France • Paris • Tour de France • Velib • bikes • Eiffel Tower • cars

 
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