Since you guys have been extremely knowledgeable and very helpful, I thought I'd ask you another thing.

Someone brought up FTBT's in Paris at night. I went to the site and found it to be intriguing and sent the link to my sister. She's concerned about safety in the streets. I don't think it would be an issue, but I'd like to hear from someone who had gone on it to tell me so.

And oh yeah, we're doing the Versailles palace bike tour for sure. It looks like it would be more fun than when we went last year on foot (less painful too).

Thanks again.

We go on Segway tours with the same outfit.

They go out in a "pack" with a seasoned guide who is very safety conscious.

For something really fun and interesting, see

http://www.parischarmssecrets.com/main_en.html

There were about 15 of us on the night Fat Tire tour that my daughter and I went on. We were required to wear reflective vests, which Fat Tire provided. Helmets were optional, but Fat Tire had those if you wanted to wear one. The bikes are beach cruisers--basically one speed, and your feet are close enough to the ground that you could stand up or jump off if need be. We rode in single file. The tour leader knew the route very well. He tried to cross only when we all could get across the street without the light changing to red, and also told those at the end of the line not to try to beat the light--that he and the rest of the group would wait for anyone who got caught by a red light. There weren't any problems. The tour was awesome, even though it was freezing cold and I didn't wear enough clothes.

we also did the segway tour with them in paris at night. no safety issues, lots of instruction and there are bike lanes on some of the busier streets. You may want to ask for a helmet if they don't offer them and you're not 100% comfortable riding at night,etc.

I did the FT night tour and LOVED it, and it was safe ,, and I did not want to go on it at first but was talked into it..
We enjoyed it so much we signed up and did Versailles next day, which we also loved, but, I will warn Versailles is more cycling.
The night tour is doable by any person under 80,, or maybe even older, LOL ,, and we felt pretty safe.

My daughter (16) and I (51) did the Paris night tour. First of all, it is a total blast and I wouldn't miss it.

You move quickly. It is not a leisurely, slow ride; there's a lot of ground to cover. You do stop from time to time for a little "lecture" on whatever site you're in front of - Notre Dame, the Conciergerie, for instance - and the talk is informative and often funny. A cameraderie develops as you get to know each other over the course of the evening, so that by the time you all get on the Bateau Mouche and drink wine together, it's a convivial atmosphere.

I think the tour guides are very considerate and try to keep everyone together. I do remember a few dicey times, like when an agressive taxi driver came right between riders and was riding right up on my daughter's rear tire...also, when you're all crossing wide streets and trying to keep together and can get a little hairy. They ask for someone to follow up in the rear and their job is to help make sure nobody's lagging behind. Maybe they get a discount or something. Even though you have to work to keep up and concentrate on keeping together, it's kind of fun, and the adrenaline gets pumping...very exhilarating.

After the tour finishes up at the Eiffel Tower, it's just a short distance to the FTBT shop. There's a metro stop close by, but I had trouble finding it, which made us nervous as it was close to 1AM or whevenever the metro closes. So get good directions to the metro unless you're taking a taxi back.

Everbody gives the tour guide a tip, but it's not pushed so you feel obligated. In all, I thought it was really worthwhile. I think my favorite moment was when we walked our bikes across the Pont des Artes where people were picnicking and watching the sunset. Next time I go to Paris I want to do that!

Like the last poster, I did the evening bike tour with my 3 children then aged 15,13,13. I was 49 and hadn't ridden a bicycle for something like 20 years! But it's true, you don't forget and it was the best fun I've had in 4 visits to Paris!

Like Lucy Jordan in the eponymous ballad I may 'never ride through Paris in a sports car with the warm wind in my hair', but I've done it on a bike!

Don't worry about safety too much, you are mostly on cycle lanes or along the banks of the Seine. My favourite part was cycling through the Louvre courtyard. And you don't need to be particularly fit either as it's pretty much all flat.