What Are the Bikes Called in Paris?

By Anna Duncan

If you’ve ever been to Paris, you may have noticed the abundance of bikes that are available for rent. These bikes are a popular mode of transportation for both locals and tourists alike.

But what are these bikes called? Let’s dive into the world of Parisian bike rentals.

Velib’ – The Original Bike Share Program

The first bike share program in Paris was launched in 2007 and it was called Velib’. The name is a combination of two French words – “vélo” which means bike, and “liberté” which means freedom. The original program was operated by the city of Paris and it quickly became a huge success.

How Does Velib’ Work?

Velib’ is a self-service bike rental system that allows users to rent a bike from one location and return it to another location. There are over 1,800 stations located throughout the city, making it easy for users to find a bike whenever they need one.

To use Velib’, users must first purchase a subscription either online or at one of the kiosks located at each station. Once they have a subscription, they can simply walk up to any available bike, enter their code into the keypad on the back of the bike, and take off!

What Are Vélo’v and Vélo

Vélo’v is Lyon’s version of Velib’, which launched in 2005. Vélo is another self-service bike rental program in Paris that was launched in 2018 by Gobee.bike. Both programs work similarly to Velib’ and offer an easy way for people to get around without having to rely on public transportation or cars.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re planning on visiting Paris (or Lyon), be sure to take advantage of the bike share programs that are available. Not only are they an affordable and eco-friendly way to get around, but they also offer a unique perspective of the city that you wouldn’t get from a car or bus. And now that you know what these bikes are called, you can impress your friends with your knowledge of Parisian bike culture.