Parisians are cycling instead of driving!

*** Beauty Match in Paris ***

When you first arrive in Paris you quickly start noticing cool grey bicycles everywhere. It took me a day or two before noticing a few bicycle stations and upon asking I found out that all of these cool bicycles (designed by Patrick Jouin) roaming the streets of Paris belong to the Vélib city-sponsored program.

Vélib is a new concept launched this past summer in Paris that has taken the city of lights by storm.

Vélib is a system of bicycles operated by the city of Paris that are available on a rental base to the public. You can rent your Vélib for a day, a week or one year. When you do, you’ll get a card that you can swipe at muni-meters to get on the saddle and ride about town. The Vélib membership cards can be picked up at Paris district City Halls, metro stations (subway stations), and 400 pastry shops (only in France!). The one-year membership is only 29€ (Euros) and gives you an unlimited number of rides.

In a city like Paris the Vélib concept makes so much sense at so many levels. Paris is a crowded city with narrow streets, what better way to get around quickly and effortlessly than on a Vélib?