(Image Credits: Paris Perfect and Martin Morrell. *Velib will put a hold on your card, just like a rental car company, that will be released once your ride is over. The first step is always to activate the Vélib’ box by pressing the "V" key on the keypad. HAWFUL DON'T USE VELIB. Select the number of bikes. After that, the second half hour costs 1€; the third half hour costs 2€; from the fourth half hour on, each half hour costs 4€. We love to walk, ride bikes, hop on the bus or metro, or take a taxi. They will usually be full of blue and green bikes. This way, you’ll have a virtually free ride all day long, and you won’t have to worry about finding another place to store it in-between rides. Electric Bikes: €1/first 30 minutes, €2/30 minutes after that. In 2007, the first Parisian bike-sharing program hit the streets, revolutionizing how thousands of people get around the city every day. There are plenty of options for getting around Paris, but I always recommend biking at least once in the city, just to have the experience! Find the Velib Paris app on IOS or Android and download it. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. This is confirmed by the symbol, 6. First, do download the very useful Velib app from the app store. Open the Velib Paris app and select “Hire a Bike” at the bottom. Where to Stay in Paris - A Neighborhood Guide to Paris Arrondissements. Find the Velib Paris app on IOS or Android and download it. Your card must have a chip and pin in order to work. It is the one called “Velib’ app officielle” If you’re on a desktop you can sign up on the Velib website here. So after 30 minutes, you get to a station, lock your bike, and you are done! It's become an immensely popular way to get around Paris, both by locals and tourists, and has arguably turned the city into a much more bike-friendly place. Select “1 day” or “7 day” depending on our preference. Pay for your Velib Rental with a credit or debit card. Now you can see the sights while enjoying fresh air and commuting like a true Parisian! Be sure to check for filled tires, responsive brakes and adjustable saddle height. This is the best option for those without a microchipped credit or debit card. After spending two hours online trying to update my 5 year old Velib subscription while in Paris from NYC, and calling my bank twice to figure out why my credits cards are not working, I called Velib and they told me they only accept European credit cards now. 1-Day Pass:  €5 When you stop, press the “V” key on the V-Box, 4. Put simply, the Velib is a bike hire service. Paris is an incredible city to explore by any mode of transportation. Dock the bike into the stand. Peruse previous editions of our newsletters, filled with travel tips and wonderful destination information. You will be asked to accept a 150€ deposit in case the bike is not returned. According to your needs, you can choose either the 1 day ticket or the 7 day ticket. There are different subscriptions and passes available for regular users and young people, depending on how often you use your bike. 2-5 Bikes: €600 There are now over 20,000 bicycles available 24 hours a day, at nearly 1,500 ‘stations’ across There is a great way to move around Paris as a complement to Metro or BUS. Now go back, click the unlock button on the stand and the bike is yours! 1. About Velib’ The city of Paris has been running a self-service bike sharing system since July 2006. Create a 4-digit pin. So whether you’re coming to Paris for a day or planning to move here, you should definitely know how to rent a bike in Paris. The idea is to use velib for short trips. I am just one of the many victims of this huge scam Velib. If you have any questions about the Velib Paris bicycle rental system, please feel free to reach out! Live and Invest Overseas 2,269 views. 2:24. Reply How can I use the Velib, as a tourist? Here Shannon is searching for a bike from a Vélib station to take to her language class. 3. Regular Bikes: first 30 minutes free, €1/30 minutes after that You will be prompted to enter the subscription number on your receipt along with the pin number you created. During my last lucky period of living in Paris, getting around on a Vélib became my favourite pastime. As part of the mayor’s plan to reduce traffic and congestion, starting July 15th, the city of Paris is commencing with a program called Vélib’ where you can borrow one of their 20,000 low-cost bicycles. 2:24. FLX has been hard at work developing a completely new range of awesome eBikes! The first time I just chose the bike closest to the terminal, but it’s better to have a quick look at the offerings before you take one. It is the one called “Velib’ app officielle” If you’re on a desktop you can sign up on the Velib website here. These are the numbers you will use when you pick up your bikes. Classic story of being told that my bike hasn't been return properly (while i made sure i plugged it correctly because i actually read the reviews saying to be careful with that!) After your initial subscription cost, you also pay an incremental amount based on how long the bicycle is out. All steps needed to pick up or return a Vélib’ are carried out from the box integrated into the handlebars. PARYŻ oczami Polaka - Gdzie i za ile cz.1 - Duration: 12:49. With Velib’, you can move quickly within the city without having to duck into the dark, underground metro. So if you rent a bike for two hours, you will pay a total of 7€ in addition to your subscription fee. Make a note of the number on the bike stand. 1. In three years, 80% of all Velib bikes have been vandalised or stolen. Paris really is a fun city to bike around. If you need more help learning how to use the Velib Paris Bike Share program, you can watch the video tutorials on the Velib site. Find your nearest Velib Station and pick your bike! Insert your credit/debit card. There are hundreds of Velib stations all over Paris and the stations are around every 300 meters so you shouldn’t have trouble finding one near you. What is the Velib? Unfortunately, every good thing has a downside to it, and for Velib, this includes you getting a flat tyre, and not finding a nearby station quick. Usually not more than two or three blocks apart.By paying 8 euros for the week you can use them free for 30 minutes and then you get charged for each additional half hour. You can rent up to 5 at a time on one account. Wandering the World with our Crew of 6 and Worldschooling! Open the Velib Paris app and select “Hire a Bike” at the bottom. PatrickLondon: We never held on to the Velibs for more than 3 hours, and when you return the Velib, there is NO receipt, when you are using the Navigo pass, that I know of. Local call rates apply Turn the handlebars to lock them. Walk up to any Velib’ Station and follow the steps on the screen, which are as follows: Once you have the receipt with your subscription number, head on over to the racks and choose your ride. The city has installed lots of bike lanes in anticipation, although pedestrians (and dogs) make such frequent use of them that bicyclists usually have a bit of tricky maneuvering to do. Wired named Paris one of the 20 most bike-friendly cities on the planet, after all. The first 30 minutes are always free! Once you’re ready to get on the road again, check out a brand new bike! You will pay a small flat fee for as many trips as you want throughout the day or week. For more information on long-term subscription options, or to purchase a pass, click here. Easy! You can get surprisingly far in … Once you pay, you’ll receive your ACCESS CODE and PIN numbers. Go to the Vélib’ terminal of your choice and follow the on-screen instructions. Resting Your Velib during your Journey: If you need to park your Velib before you check it in (to run into a patisserie or something), follow these steps: 1. Launched on 15 July 2007, the system encompassed around 14,500 bicycles and 1,230 bicycle stations, located across Paris and in some surrounding municipalities, with an average daily ridership of 85,811 in 2011. View pricing structure and select the “subscribe” button. You’ll be … The double flag symbol appears if your bicycle is correctly docked. The Velib’, a combination of the words Vélo and Liberté meaning “bike freedom,” sought to reduce the number of cars and encourage people to enjoy the beauty of Paris by bike. Once you are done with the bicycle, find any Velib’ station with an open spot (use the app!). To resume your journey, press the “V” key and input your access and pin codes, 2. Here’s my quick guide to the velib’. Look for green lights on the docks and avoid any backwards seats — it has become common courtesy to turn the seats around if there is anything wrong with a bike. Police are always on the road, reminding the bikers to be careful and to stay safe. Contact the Ombudsman. (note the deposit price…this is for your entire rental time, not for each bike you take out). Stay up-to-date with our latest news, blogs and specials by signing up for the Perfect Experiences newsletter. Paris Blog > Parisian Living How to Rent a Bike in Paris Using Velib’! Paris has a great bike share program called Velib, which offers standard and electric bike options. It can be a little confusing to know how to use the Velib program, so I’ve outlined how to use it step by step below. Pull the anti-theft cable out of the end of the right handle, 7. © 2021 Smovengo / Syndicat Autolib' Vélib’ Métropole 1 Bike: €300 People-watching on a bike is just as fun as during a stroll. This is to prevent theft or damage to bikes. The service is easy to use and very affordable. It’s not a big deal and releases quickly, just make sure you have room on your card and are aware of this. Launched in 2007, Paris' city bike rental scheme, Velib' (translating roughly to "bike in freedom") now counts an immense fleet of over 20,000 bikes and 1,800 rental stations around the city. Next, follow … Your email address will not be published. My wife and I used Velib during our November 2007 visit to Pris. Return to the screen and now click number 2. Most of them are geared for pass card holders, who have a card to unlock the bikes though, which is why I wrote this step by step guide! Here’s what to do once you get to the bikes. JCDecanaux is repairing 1,500 bicycles per week, which amounts to 100% of the inventory every 2 weeks. 4. Paris Perfect © 2021 Registered Trademark. Hold* Rest your Vélib’ on its stand near to a bicycle rack: 2. Discover Paris by Velib bikes, a bike rental in Paris. Here’s a little trick many Parisians use: plan your day around the ubiquitous Velib’ stations so that you can get from place to place within that first half hour, returning your bike to a new station before 30 minutes elapses. The Velib Paris app will show you exactly how many bikes are available at each Velib station. It is easy to use: you can rent a bike for a certain amount of time. The blue Vélib’ is electric, and the green Vélib’ is mechanical. All rights reserved, Receive an email when we post a new article, Savoring the Sweet Life in Paris – Interview with David Lebovitz. Learn how your comment data is processed. Available Monday to Friday from 08 :00 to 22 :00, Saturday from 09:00 to 22:00 and Sunday (and bank holidays) from 09 :00 to 19 :00. Madelyn Discovers an Amazing New Cheese Shop! If you’re brave enough to face Parisian traffic head on, you might just find that it’s the quickest method of moving around the city. I’ve biked many miles around the city, and full disclosure, it can be a little scary. Vélib' Bike Sharing System in Paris France - Duration: 0:29. You will be asked to accept a 150€ deposit in case the bike is not returned. The Paris transport system isn’t for everyone. You can also sign up for the system online or through the Vélib’ app. Velib bikes in Paris: how it works? Since 2007, self-service bikes – called Velib – are beeing available all over Paris. This will help you to locate and return Velib bikes, as long as you allow it to use your location. Select ” Pass 1 & 7 days” at the bottom by the Euro (€) Sign. Tags: bicycle, bike, getting around, rental, transportation, velib. Insert your Vélib’ into the docking station, 4. So anyone from outside of Europe may not use the system. Here's what I wrote in our Fodor's trip report: Velib’ On! Your hold will be $600 for more than one bike). All that’s needed for the scheme is a credit card, a sense of adventure and a sense of direction. For short visits to the city, you can either purchase a one-day pass for 1.70€, or a seven-day pass for 8€. And it’s the mayor’s goal to make Paris the world capital of cycling by next year. You’ll also be able to cover more ground than you ever could on-foot, enabling you to see even more of this gorgeous city! Et voilà! The eletric bike Moving around is made much easier thanks to a fleet of bicycles which is 30% electric: Vélib’ users see their journeys shorten and defy the city's hills to climb them with ease. Walk up to any Velib’ Station and follow the steps on the screen, which are as follows: Click 1 to buy a ticket. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. You might end up, like I did, using the map function to know where you’re going. Horseradished 16,003 views. When it’s sunny, cycling in Paris could be great. Vélib in Paris. Talking Chic Interiors and Paris Real Estate Remodels with Designer, Ann Huff, Top 10 Songs about Paris to Add to your Playlist, The Glorious Chickens of Bresse and How to Cook Them, How to Order at a French Bakery like a Local: A Guide to Paris’ Pastries and Bread, Peruse previous editions of our newsletters. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Many improvements have been made to the Paris bike share program, known as Velib, in the last few years, including the addition of new electric bikes. I do know the Navigo Decouverte won't hold any value for Velib - so far, you can only load a Carte Orange pass to it. Once you’ve signed up for your 1 day or 7 day Velib pass you can find a Velib station on the app. You can use the card to borrow up to five bikes at one time, which means you'll need only one pass for a family or small group. You should hear a double beep and see a green light to make sure the bike has been locked in. taking a bike in a full station using Park + : gaining 3 Minutes Bonus; bringing a bike back to an empty station: gaining 3 Minutes Bonus; by combining the 2 actions described above: gain of 10 Minutes Bonus. 7. 2. For short-term travellers, one-day (V-Découverte) and seven-day (V-Séjour) tickets are available from the stations. For a small daily or weekly fee, you can ride for 30 minutes free of charge, but after 30 minutes you’ll have to pay a small fee to encourage you to return the bike to a local docking station for someone else to use. Insert the end of the cable into the hole above the front wheel of your Vélib’, 8. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Every Vélib' Métropole station has a pedestal with a multilingual screen and keyboard for transactions, but you can use a free phone app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store if … Find the Nearest Velib Station It’s not common, but you can still come across a bicycle with a broken chain or even without a seat. VELIB bikes! We recommend downloading the official Velib’ app ahead of time. on Sunday, November 13th, 2016 at 4:40 pm in Parisian Living. There are several subscription options, but unless you live in Paris, I recommend just getting the 1-day or 7-day pass depending on how often you think you’ll be riding. The app will show you how many bicycles and parking spaces are available at any station. Input the number of the bicycle you wish to borrow. Regular Bikes: first 30 minutes free, €1/30 minutes after that You can print out a receipt verifying the return. How to use Velib bikes in Paris - Duration: 2:24. In 2007, the mayor launched a municipal bike hire scheme – Vélib. Wondering just exactly how you use the Vélibs in Paris? Electric Bikes: €1/first 30 minutes, €2/30 minutes after that, 7-Day Pass:  €15 Vélib' is a large-scale public bicycle sharing system in Paris, France. I hope you have an amazing time cycling in Paris. The concept behind Velib' is relatively simple: swipe your credit card at any station around the capital (you'll find one roughly every 300 meters/984 feet in any given neighborhood) to rent a bike for a day or a week. they are everywhere! The cyclist can also attach the bicycle to a fixed structure using the anti-theft cable which has been cleverly integrated into the handlebars. Transform Your Home Into a Bohemian Parisian Escape. Velib bikes in Paris. The Velib system is quite literally being submerged under a tidal wave of repairs due to vandalism, coupled with heavy theft losses. You can comment below or find me on Facebook or Instagram. and now receiving a huuuuge unfair bill that they are able to take away because i had to give my banking infos. To use Vélib’, you need to have a bank card that is compatible with the Vélib’ system. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Use the cycle lanes and discover Paris through a new way… Velib map 2. HOW TO USE THE VÉLIB’ SYSTEM. Posted That way you don’t lose excitement at the sight of an empty bike rack, or find at the end of your journey that you need to keep riding because you can’t find a spot to dock in. Our Velib bikes were the best deal of our entire vacation in Paris Tips for Using Velib Finding a Velib Bike. There are thousands of cars in Paris and I just won’t say anything about the drivers in France, but please be careful! The public city bikes or velib’ are an essential part of Parisian life, and they are so easy to use for visitors as well. 8. The regular Navigo can have spending value loaded for Velib. Horseradished 15,206 views. Please note: if the symbol below appears, your Vélib’ is incorrectly docked. 3. NEXT: Madelyn Discovers an Amazing New Cheese Shop! Like the “Boris Bikes” in London, once signed up, you can take a bicycle from any Velib Station in Paris, cycle it to any other station in the city, deposit the bike and stroll away! Love Paris, London and Italy? Read below to learn how to borrow a Velib’. The name Vélib' is a portmanteau of the French words vélo ("bicycle") and liberté ("freedom"). How to Rent a Bike in Paris Using Velib’! by DanielaLast Updated: September 17th, 2020 | Published: November 13th, 2016. How to use Velib bikes in Paris - Duration: 2:24. The 69 Bus – See All the Top Sights in Paris! A Velib station in Paris. 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