A new self-service bicycle transit system called Velib lets Parisians and visitors to the French capital pick up and drop off any of the more than 20,500 bicycles distributed among more than 1,400 locations throughout the city. Each Velib parking station along some 230 miles of cycling lanes is equipped with a muni-meter that lets the user purchase a one-day bike pass for one euro, seven-day pass for 5 euros, or, if you're there long-term, a one-year pass for 29 euros.
Then the first half-hour of riding is free, with a one-euro charge for a second half-hour, two euros for the next 30 minutes and 4 euros for every half-hour after that.
When you drop off the bike you pay the amount owed into the muni-meter. Each meter also has information about other station locations.
For more information, visit velib.paris.fr on the internet. The site is in French with a translation available.
