Paris Readying For Bike Program Launch

Posted by: Nate Berg

16 May 2007 - 7:00am

The City of Paris is getting ready to put more than 20,000 rental bikes on the city's streets. The program is starting out by installing the first 1,000 automated bike stands in the coming weeks, which many hope will foreshadow the program's success.

"Paris officials are making 20,000 bikes available for rent across the city in a bid to reduce the number of cars. It's one of the most ambitious efforts anywhere but critics believe it won't appeal to many potential cyclists."

"City authorities are putting 1,000 automated bike stands all over Paris, on average just 200 yards apart."

"To borrow one, you leave a deposit with your bank card. When you are finished, you can park the bike at another bike stand anywhere in town. The first 30 minutes are free, then it's about $1.25 every half hour."

Full Story: Two Wheels Better than Four in France

Source: NPR, May 15, 2007