The Greening of Paris
Back in July of 2007, Paris unveiled what has become a widely popular bicycle transit system, Velib, which provides citizens and visitors alike access to more than 20,000 bikes located throughout the city, that can be picked up and dropped off at any one of 750 “parking” stations. Riders select a one day card, weekly pass or annual card. The self-serve stations are equipped with “muni-meters” that allow you make and pay for your selection and provides information on locations of other stations for eventual drop-off. This is a great way to traverse the city for a day or to use as your method of transportation on a daily basis. During transportation strikes similar to the one I experienced last November, not one single bike was available, anywhere. As odd as it seems for us Americans to use biking as a method of transportation, Parisians are quite comfortable peddling around their city.
Taking green to the next level, Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë has announced that by the end of next year, 4,000 electric cars will be available, again placed at locations in and around the city environs. This project, called Autolib, will make small electric cars available for short journeys, a daily jaunt from one of the city to the other when a bike or the metro just won’t do.
Green party councilors are already at odds with the scheme, claiming the city is encouraging citizens to drive instead of using their wonderful mass transit system or bike. Seriously. Have you ever seen traffic in Paris? Why one would want to tackle that is beyond me. I think there are times I could get from one end of the Champs Elysée to the other on foot much quicker than in a car. But for days when hauling things around becomes a necessity, it makes total sense.
Photo credit: austinevan@flickr
5 Comments
Some areas in Japan also offer this type of service. I think it’s a great idea and can’t think of anything more relaxing than cycling around the neighborhoods of Paris.
You are right–it really is a great way to get around. And since the weather is so temperate, people bike all year round. I love watching elderly women with gloves, skirts and pantyhose get around town on one. And you know what? They do it so gracefully.
I read about this in the recent issue of Time magazine, and I was amazed! I hope Toronto gets the same bike system, I’d use it.
[...] Poulin looks at The Greening of Paris posted at The Paris Traveler. She checks out the how and why of biking around [...]
I think Torontonians would love a system like this!! Is that a word?