We are thinking of hiring two bicycles next week for a few days. The Velib website offers some English information %26amp; one has to use a credit card to pay. It costs 1 Euro a day if a bicycle is not used for more than 30 minutes. This seems very cheap - is our understanding correct so far ? We do not see what the cost is if one uses a bike for +30 minutes.
Any tips %26amp; assistance would be appreciated.
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30 minutes = 0€
31 minutes = 1€
61 minutes = 2€
91 minutes = 4€
121 minutes = 7€
The trick is to keep returning the bikes within 30 minutes. If you return a bike to a station, you can take the very same bike again 3 minutes later (yes, they make you wait, except when you return the bike immediately to the SAME station, meaning that you noticed that something is wrong with it).
Since the stations are only 400 meters apart (often less), it is very easy to find %26#39;waystations%26#39; if you have not arrived at your final destination yet.
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One tip - if you%26#39;re an American you need to use an American Express card. Other cards require a chip and US cards don%26#39;t have a compatible chip.
Also, if you have a Navigo Decoverte card you can link the ND card with your Amex card at the Velib kiosk and then getting a bike is as simple as slapping the ND card on the bike stand.
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Mine didn%26#39;t work. I think you also need to ensure you have a proper pin setup for it.
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This thread mentioned you need to use the 4-digit code you setup for taking cash out with your AMEX card. I didn%26#39;t have that and I%26#39;m sure that is why it didn%26#39;t work.
flyertalk.com/forum/france/720663-velib-fren…
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Thanks for the advice given. We are not Americans, so hopefully our Visa card works.
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If your card does not have a computer chip in middle on the right side, it won%26#39;t work. The system relies on reading this chip for security. See these pictures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_card
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My Gold AmExp worked just fine, no PIN required, two years ago.
Be advised that the Velib bikes take some getting used to as they are different than what you may be used to (heavier, for one thing). Best bet is to start out where there%26#39;s a good area for practicing. Braking effectively definitely requires practice...
Riding a bike in Paris is NOT for the faint of heart. You really need to know what you%26#39;re doing and also the %26quot;rules of the road%26quot;.
If you want to bicycle around Paris, it%26#39;s best done late at night when the traffic has subsided, on bicycle paths, or on Sundays when many roads are closed to traffic. (You can find a terrific brochure with a web search.)
On the Velib website, if you switch to English, there are two English language brochures which explain everything (along with the %26quot;rules of the road%26quot; and safety recommendations) in detail. Highly recommend printing out both and taking them with you for reference.
I%26#39;ve read/heard now that the bikes are %26quot;aging%26quot;, it%26#39;s critical to inspect them before selecting one.
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Prices are as kerouac stated, and there is absolutely no reason not to return the bikes to a stand before you run up charges. Sometimes you may miss on getting to a stand before your 30 minutes are up, but it would be rare not to be able to park your bike at a station before the hour is up. I am always amazed when I see bikes parked in front of a café, just a block from a Vélib station. The purpose of the bikes is to get you from point A to point B within the city, so that you can go about your business, and pick up another bike later on when you need one again.
Check tires and chain before you select a bike, and brakes and gears before you ride away from the station. When you see a Vélib bike parked in the station with the seat turned backwards, that signals a problem with that bike. So, if your bike has problems, please do the same when you put the bike back in the stand. That will help the next person who comes along to take out a bike.
The bikes are maintained on a regular basis, and they are easy and fun to ride, but riding in any city would not be a good idea for people who are not very comfortable on a bike.
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