Utilizing the Vélib Bike Service in Paris ⋆ SECRETS OF PARIS

Now that the climate is (principally) conducive to getting round Paris by bicycle, I believed it might be time to replace the details about utilizing the Metropolis of Paris’s municipal bike-share system generally known as Vélib. It’s had a rocky few years after switching service suppliers, and whereas there are nonetheless a couple of bugs to work out, I’ve discovered them to be fairly dependable for the informal bicycle owner. Whether or not you’ve used them earlier than or are a first-timer, listed here are a couple of helpful tips about the bikes, how one can arrange an account, and how one can use them.

Most Necessary Takeaways

• Vélib has common bikes (inexperienced) and electric-assisted bikes (blue)
• Join ALL passes (together with 24-hour or 3-day passes) on-line, NOT immediately on the bike station “bornes” (there have been points with individuals placing of their bank card information after which not receiving the account quantity or passcode to have the ability to try the bikes).
• There’s a FREE cross for residents that solely expenses you for those who really use a motorbike (this “pay as you go” possibility is barely dearer, however nice for the occasional consumer who needs the choice to seize a motorbike at any second with out fuss).

In regards to the Vélib Bikes

There are two sorts of Vélib:

1. common bikes (inexperienced)
2. electric-assisted bikes (blue). These nonetheless should be pedaled to work, however they provide you a bit of push, particularly going uphill, and might attain 25kph.

Each have baskets, mud guards, headlights, and locks for when it’s worthwhile to pop into a store rapidly. Not like the various “dockless” bikes that you just would possibly see round Paris (though they’ve been virtually utterly changed by electrical scooters now), the Vélibs are all docked bikes, with a number of hundred “stations” located all through Paris and the quick.

Subscription Choices and Passes (Up to date January 2023)

There are 2 “one-off” passes that anybody with a bank card can use, and three “subscription” choices which are for residents or long-term guests.

1. The one-off passes for informal customers are the €3 Ticket-V (a single-use rental for as much as 45 minutes, both traditional or electrical, plus €1 for every extra half-hour on traditional bikes or €2 for eBikes), the €5 Move 24-hour “Classique”, the €10 Move 24-hour “Electrique” and the €20 “Move 3 Jours“. All however the Ticket-V help you take as much as 5 bikes at a time with one account, so it’s good for small teams or a household who wish to pay with one bank card. There are two charges to have in mind, the fastened “Move” charge simply to enroll (charged instantly whether or not you ever use the bikes or not) and the precise rental charge for the time you employ the bikes.  You get an account quantity and a PIN it’s worthwhile to preserve throughout your cross to have the ability to take a motorbike.  The rental charge for the precise time used is similar for each passes: 
   • For the Move 24-hour “Classique”, inexperienced bikes are free for as much as half-hour. In case you don’t return your bike to a station after half-hour, your bank card will probably be charged €1 for every extra half hour. You need to use the bike as many instances as you need with out paying greater than the cross charge so long as you turn bikes each half-hour. If you wish to use a blue electrical bike with this cross, it can price €2 for every half-hour.
   • For the Move 24-hour “Electrique” and Move 3 Jours, blue electrical bikes are free for as much as 45 minutes for the primary 6 journeys (then €1 /journey after that) and €1 for every 30-minutes you go over. If you wish to use the inexperienced bikes with this cross it’s free for as much as 60 minutes per journey then €1 per half-hour (this would possibly turn out to be useful since there are far fewer electrical bikes out there, they’re tougher to search out, and typically those you discover aren’t completed recharging).     
     
     IMPORTANT NOTE: This month an American visiting Paris confirmed {that a} €300 deposit was deducted from her bank card every time she renewed her 3-day cross, and solely reimbursed a day or two after it expired; so in case you are staying every week or extra and want a number of passes to make use of for the entire time, chances are you’ll want a card with room for having a number of deposits taken directly earlier than getting the cash returned. I don’t know if all US playing cards do that, however you need to be conscious it might occur.
2. There are three totally different subscriptions which are for individuals who dwell in Paris, tailored to the frequency of use. All three work with a bodily card that will probably be despatched to you (or added to your Navigo card):
   • “V-Libre” is a pay-as-you-go account for infrequent customers. It prices nothing to subscribe, however expenses you €1 per half-hour for the inexperienced bikes and €3 per 45 minutes for the blue bikes. In case you by no means use the bikes, you aren’t charged something in any respect. I like to recommend everybody to get this even when they suppose they’ll by no means use the bikes, as a result of in a pinch you’ve received the cardboard to seize one and go.
   • “V-Plus” is a month-to-month (€3.10) or annual (€37.20) subscription for individuals who use the bikes greater than 4 instances per thirty days. With this subscription you get half-hour without cost on the inexperienced bikes, then €1 per extra 30-minute rental, and €2 for the blue bike leases plus €2 for every extra 30-minute rental.
   • “V-Max” is a hard and fast month-to-month (€8.30) or annual (€99.60) account for normal customers that features 60-minute rides on inexperienced bikes and a couple of free 45-minute rides on the blue bikes (then €1 per journey). After that, the extra instances is €1 per half-hour for both bike. That is an superior deal if you wish to use the electrical bikes every single day of the 12 months for brief journeys (lower than 45 minutes every journey).      

Getting Began

Earlier than you begin, you’ll must get an account (even for a Day Move) and – particularly for those who’re planning on utilizing it greater than as soon as – the smartphone app. For each (out there in English), go to: https://www.velib-metropole.fr/

After you have registered on-line for the cross you might have chosen, you’ll instantly obtain an eight-digit subscription ID# and a PIN (the PIN is chosen by you). WRITE THESE DOWN (or retailer in your cellphone), as you’ll want them to take a look at a motorbike (for the month-to-month or annual cross holders, you’ll want these till your card arrives within the mail).

Test Out a Bike

After you have your ID# and PIN, you possibly can try a motorbike(s). You could find out there bikes utilizing the web site or the smartphone (up to date in real-time), though they’re fairly straightforward to identify round Paris (TIP: the bus shelter maps present the closest Vélib stations).

Do a fast test to ensure the bike you need isn’t damaged:

• Each wheels have air
• All components together with pedals, seat, and handlebars are intact
• Spin the pedals backwards to ensure chain isn’t blocked
• Be certain the seat could be adjusted if wanted
• If the seat is dealing with backwards, it means the final one who used it discovered a difficulty (so don’t test this bike out!)

As soon as all appears good, you possibly can checkout the bike immediately on the bike’s electrical show unit generally known as the “V-box” (DO NOT attempt to use the “borne” terminal to take a look at a motorbike!). It can then ask to your eight-digit ID#, after which the four-digit PIN (push the inexperienced test button after coming into the numbers). For many who have a bodily card, you simply wave this in entrance of the V-Field and it reads the information mechanically, so that you don’t must enter any numbers. If all is sweet, it can show “Go!” and you may take away your bike from the docking station and begin using.

Regulate the seat and ensure the brakes work earlier than you go flying down a hill into visitors. Et voila!

Observe: If there is a matter with the bike (ie an electrical bike not charged utterly, or a daily bike that hasn’t been returned accurately) it gained’t help you test it out, simply attempt one other bike. Typically complete stations are blocked (for instance, if it’s on a parade or protest march route that day).  

Locking the Bike for a Short-term Pause

If you wish to pop into the bakery or in any other case depart your bike momentarily with out returning it to a station, you possibly can lock your Vélib in two methods (see this video to get a greater visible: https://youtu.be/gLBd4Pe9-RY):

• As soon as stopped, put down the kickstand and push the tip of the left handlebar to eject the cable lock cleverly hidden within the tip of the precise handlebar. You lock this into the little slot on the “neck” of the bike the place the handlebars meet the body. Then push the inexperienced checkmark and also you’ll see “Pause” displayed; you’ll need to substantiate this together with your card or enter your PIN. You’ll then see a padlock image to substantiate.
• You may merely block the handlebars from shifting (a bit like if you lock your automotive’s steering wheel) with out utilizing the cable lock. Simply press the inexperienced checkmark and also you’ll see “Pause” displayed; you’ll need to substantiate this together with your card or enter your PIN. Flip the handlebars till you’re feeling it block into locked place. You’ll then see a padlock image to substantiate.

To launch your bike once more, push the inexperienced test button and use your card or enter your PIN once more to substantiate, and it’ll launch the cable and the locked steering, so that you’re able to proceed rolling.

Returning the Bike

While you’re able to return your bike, simply discover the closest station (you’ll find stations with open areas listed on the app and web site) and slide the entrance wheel again into the docking station slot. Hold your eye on the V-Field show: it can present the time you used the bike then a “Cease” signal, after which the show will flip off. Give the bike a bit of tug to substantiate it’s locked in there, then you definately’re good! You’ll obtain a affirmation e-mail every time you come your bike.

If you wish to use it longer than the free time you might have in your cross (normally half-hour) with out paying, merely cease at a station and plug it again in, verify it says “Cease” on the display screen, after which simply test it out once more (until the bike sucks, by which case you’ll wish to seize a unique bike).

Observe: Don’t neglect to show the seat round in case your bike isn’t working correctly to sign to different riders and the Vélib employees that it’s damaged.

IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES: name customer support (open 8am-10pm on weekdays, 9am-10pm Saturdays, and 9am-7pm Sundays and holidays): 01 76 49 12 34

Trip safely!

I do know none of you’re carrying helmets or yellow security vests, however no less than don’t neglect one rule: by no means trip between a big car (like a truck or bus) and the sidewalk simply earlier than an intersection, as a result of they could not see you when turning proper and also you’ll get squashed. Keep behind or cross on the left so the drivers can see you. I do know it’s no enjoyable sucking on exhaust fumes, however you’ll should bear it till you will get to a much less congested space to trip or keep on with the separated bike paths throughout Paris.

* Study all about biking in Paris: Paris by Bike

Even if in case you have precedence, you’ll want to look out for pedestrians (use that bell!) and electrical “trottinettes” (we name them scooters in English, however they aren’t the identical as motor scooters), that are all over the place in Paris now and infrequently pushed by individuals who do not know what they’re doing (or the foundations of the street).

PS: The “bornes” at every docking station are ineffective for getting your cross or trying out a motorbike, however they DO serve one nice goal: charging your USB gadgets!