Cycling in Paris (without getting killed!)
 

Since a lot of people are tempted yet afraid of riding a bicycle in Paris, I made a little photo essay of how the cycle paths are set up (and I didn't even cover the pedestrian zones or all of the places where motor traffic is forbidden on Sundays and holidays -- but I hope to add it soon).

If you are afraid to ride a bike in Paris, I hope that this will reassure you: http://tinyurl.com/kn9j7t

Merci Kerouac! I may give it a try this trip when my feet get tired!

Kerouac, Sad to report I did not bike during my trip ... I simply did not have the nerve. Or the wish to harm myself or others !! I did however, take a photo of me SITTING on a bike....Perhaps next time!!laurie

Your photo essays are always so wonderful and I enjoyed this one as well even though I have never plucked up the courage to bike in Paris and gave up years ago trying to do it here at home. You have inspired me to give it a bash on a Velib sometime in the future!

Aw, that's a shame.

(I was replying to lauriew1234, not tod!)

Oh my! This is a whole new world of Paris I wasn't aware of. It's been almost 10 years since I was there. I love to ride bikes. I used to do it around ATL but the traffic has gotten so bad I don't dare any more. I found the house I live in riding a bike. Anyway, I need some more info. I did a little reading online. It sounded like there is a government sponsored bike program? How does that work?

They are municipally organized programs (rather than "sponsored"), but they are financed and operated by advertising companies in France and other countries -- generally JC Decaux or Clear Channel. In exchange, the advertising companies get advertising rights in certain places.

In the Paris system, the city of Paris keeps all of the user fees but pays none of the expenses. Since the system was started, it has expanded to 30 suburban cities touching Paris.

That's interesting kerouac. You don't mention or have photos of Paris' public rent a bikes or how the system works. Maybe you can add that.

I saw far more people riding bikes in London than in Paris. Of course nothing compares to Amsterdam. When you get up there take a picture of the huge bike parking lot on the west side of Centraal Station.