For those looking to enjoy Paris on a budget then a Velib Bike can offer a simple solution to navigate the city. Follow the Parisians and enjoy city life on a bike whilst picking up an alternative perspective. Offering an affordable method of transport, once you’ve paid the access fee, the great news that many of the packages offer FREE minutes that are worth taking note of. Paris is a compact city easily navigated with the use of a bike so here’s your chance to go green and explore the city by bike.
It’s easy to sign up online to the Velib bike scheme either on the day or in advance. Opt for any of the following; a single one-way trip, a 1 day pass, (this lasts 24 hours from when you sign up) or the slightly cheaper 3 day pass, (subsequent days). Select either the classic bikes or electric bike options where you’ll find the access charge for the electric bikes relatively more expensive.
Take the note of the FREE minutes available for each journey you take that vary depending upon the package you choose. We opted for the 1 day classic package that offered us 30 minutes free of charge for each journey. This allowed us an element of flexibility within our plans and meant we could take account of the weather. Paris is a relatively flat city, so we didn’t feel the need to use the electric bikes but you’ll find many in Paris do prefer the quicker speed!
There is an art to removing and returning the bikes but simply watch how it’s done & you’ll soon pick it up. Alternatively, look on the Velib website where you’ll find a number of helpful tutorials.
Velib Bikes in Paris
Paris Velib Bikes Guide; Tips & Tricks
1. There is a hold of around 300 Euros per bike taken during the transaction process.
2. You can set up just 1 account and from there request extra bikes although that will mean the hold goes on one single credit card.
3. Download the Velib App that locates the closest available docking stations in real time & location. We’ve also noted that this is available on Google Maps if you you select the cycle provider.
4. Once you’ve decided on the Velib scheme of your choice, you’ll be provided with an Access Code and a Pin number for each bike. You’ll need to tap in these numbers into the code panels located on the bike for each journey you undertake.
5. Take note of any free minutes that come with your package. For those looking to keep the costs down, it’s worth ensuring each journey is limited to free minutes. You always have the option of pulling into a Velib station to dock, waiting 5 minutes and then starting the process all over again.
6. The Velib bikes are commonly used by Parisians commuting into work. This could mean it’s hard to locate an available Velib cycle in the suburbs unless you’re up with the larks. To get round this, we commuted each morning into the city by metro and then had no problem locating a Velib within the city centre.
Velib Bikes in Paris; More Tips & Tricks
7. Docking stations around popular visitor attractions can quickly become full so it does mean you might have to park further away that previously anticipated. Seemingly Velib bikes are not transported around during the day to iron out these bottlenecks. You’ll find there is no exact science to this process, but hey, surely that’s part of the fun!
8. The Velib bikes do not come with cycle helmets so this is something you’ll need to consider before making a trip.
9. If the seat on the Velib Bike is facing towards the back wheel than this indicates that there’s a problem with the bike. We always check both wheels and get the seat in the correct position before keying in the numbers to ensure we are maximising our free minutes.
10. When returning a bike, if the selected docking station is full, you can secure an additional 15 minutes for free to locate a vacant spot.
11. Worth double checking that your Velib bike has been docked successfully – you’ll get an email after each ride has been completed.
12. If you do receive a notification suggesting that the bike has been out for a lengthy period of time, (and you thought it was docked in a bay), do not ignore this as it might be that it wasn’t docked correctly. Contact the careline, (you can select to speak with someone in English) to explain the situation that may help you avoid hefty penalty charges.
More information available over at Velib Bikes in Paris.
