Originally published August 3, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 3, 2007 at 2:02 AM
Paris bike program pedals toward big success
This year's Tour de France bike race may have been ruined by doping scandals, but a new city bicycle program has made two-wheeled transport...
PARIS — This year's Tour de France bike race may have been ruined by doping scandals, but a new city bicycle program has made two-wheeled transport very popular in Paris for residents and tourists.
The Velib' — short for "free bike" — program launched in Paris in July has been a runaway success for Mayor Bertrand Delanoë, enabling thousands of Parisians and visitors to pedal to work, shops and sights.
Similar systems exist in other European countries, as city administrations struggle to ease both traffic gridlock and air pollution, but the French capital has the most ambitious program.
Some 616,000 users have signed up to be able to pick up (and drop off) bikes at more than 750 points in Paris for daily subscriptions of 1 euro.
About 10,000 bikes are already in place, and Velib' is to double in size by the end of the year with around 20,000 of the sturdy, gray-green bikes and 1,450 pick-up points.
The first half-hour is free, which organizers believe will cover most users, though longer journeys are possible on a mounting scale of charges. For sign-ups and information, see www.velib.paris.fr/ (in French only).
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Thanksgiving travel plans expected to grow slightly
Ask Travel: A free day in Prague
Ban Long Lao is a peek at traditional Hmong village life

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base
- Mariners Blog | Dustin Ackley to move to second base; Mariners add six to 40-man roster
- Genetics anti-bias law takes effect
- Senate vote clears hurdle
194 - First key vote today on Senate health bill
166 - Mariners add six to 40-man roster
140 - Man shot in Capitol Hill
91 - Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
87 - Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
73 - Saturday links
50 - Bye week answers, volume four
49 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
43 - Historic health care bill nears key Senate vote
37
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- UW provost tapped for Nike's board
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- BofA moves to take control of Mastro building in Fremont
- Food-bank donations pour in after theft in Rainier Valley





