Community Bicycles
Mark K October 20th, 2007
I was fascinated by the stands that could be found throughout Paris, with a row of “Velib” rental bicycles parked side-by side.
“Velib†is short for “velo libre†or “velo liberteâ€, meaning “free bicycle†or “bicycle freedomâ€. While the bikes are not free, they are modeled after similar free bicycle programs which have been initiated in Holland and other countries.
In Amsterdam, in the 1960’s, the city government tried to institute a “white bicycle†plan, in which hundreds of bicycles were painted white and parked around the city center where residents were welcome borrow one, ride it to a destination, and leave it for the next person to use. Similar “yellow†or “orange†bike programs were instituted in other countries, including cities in the United States. They were always vulnerable to the same problem – theft. The bikes would soon disappear, becoming the property of some enterprising bike thief.
In July of 2007, Paris began the Velib program. This is how it works: There are 10,000 bikes available at 750 hire points throughout Paris, each containing at least 15 bikes. To use the program, you need to subscribe at a rate of 1 Euro for a day, 5 Euros for a week, or 20 Euros for a year. When you want to rent a bike, you identify yourself on the machine at the hire point, unlocking the bike from the rack where it is attached. The first half-hour of riding is free, and then your credit card is charged for each subsequent half-hour. The rate starts at 1 Euro for each half hour and increases to 4 Euros per half hour – this is because the system is intended to keep the bikes in circulation. If you decide to keep the bike indefinitely, it’s going to cost you a fortune!
The bikes have a very distinctive look, with heavy-duty fenders and splash guards and built in head and tail lights. During the transit strike, while we were visiting, you would see hire stations with no bikes, as Parisians were scrambling to find a way to get to work. Almost none of the riders were wearing helmets, but they all seemed to be very proficient riders as they threaded in and out of traffic. It was clear that this was a means of transportation and not merely exercise or recreation.
I didn’t have the courage to rent one of these bikes and join the fray, but now that I know how the system works, I’ll think I’ll give it a try on my next visit to Paris. I’ll be curious to see if this system catches on in the U.S. It’s very similar to the Zipcar program which is available in San Francisco and other cities, but it remains to be seen if a community bicycle program will take hold in our automobile-dominated society.
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- Comments(1)
What a great idea! It would be nice to see something like that around here. It’s too bad that a few bad apples mean the free bikes program had to be tossed out.