|
|
Post by ouiparis on May 12, 2008 12:21:07 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by mez on May 12, 2008 16:37:07 GMT -5
I read this yesterday - someone posted a link on TA. The article definitely put a smile on my face.  |
|
|
|
Post by ouiparis on May 12, 2008 17:00:53 GMT -5
LOL, Mez! I just searched TA and the poster is the same friend who emailed me this link! I've been trying to get her to check out OPF.
|
|
|
|
Post by mez on May 12, 2008 18:25:37 GMT -5
That's just too funny!
Get her over here where the audience is 110% appreciative.
|
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jun 15, 2008 3:11:37 GMT -5
I would like to know if any of you has had experiences with the Velib system. www.velib.paris.fr/Was it easy to find out how it worked (no, not the bike ! The machines where you pay/pick up/deliver back) ?? How did it feel to ride a bike in Paris ? Scary ? I would so love to try, e.g. in Bois de Vincennes for starters. I know that phread bicycles in Paris, but she doesn't really count - I am curious about you other guys, the tourists like moi. |
|
|
|
Post by kittyhead on Jun 15, 2008 9:17:49 GMT -5
i saw this article too and am intrigued. i guess i'll bring my AMEX card and see if it'll work for us. |
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Jun 15, 2008 9:38:13 GMT -5
Gitte, I'm glad you brought this up. I'm very interested to hear about this as well. Also, if anyone has figured out a way around the problem with US credit cards not having a puce?
|
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Jun 15, 2008 15:21:28 GMT -5
I've read that while Visa and Mastercard will not work sometimes an Amex card will
|
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Jul 16, 2008 14:10:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by andi on Jul 17, 2008 9:34:34 GMT -5
We saw lots of Velib stations and would have really loved to try them out, the roads scared us stiff though. We did check out one of the machines, as they are supposed to be tricky to understand, from what we could gather if you are a visitor and only require a day permit, you have to pay a deposit of 150 euros which will be taken from your bank account should you fail to return the bicycle. We are seriously considering a try of them next trip (even if it is only in the park)   This Velib was abandoned all week outside our hotel with a flat tyre and broken reflector lights.........  And here is just one of many Velib stations. |
|
|
|
Post by denise on Jul 23, 2008 1:45:14 GMT -5
;DAs a recently revived cyclist in the UK, I was very interested in the bicycles in Paris. I noticed a HUGE increase in the number of cyclists, since my last trip not just Velibs but privately owned cycles as well. Soon Paris will be like Beijing! Because of this the cyclists almost ride round in packs and the traffic seem more aware of them. There are wide cycle lanes on the boulevards and avenues and on the narrow streets the traffic doesn't move that fast. I never noticed the one way system in Paris before, I don't know if that is new, but it makes it easier for cyclists. I think now I would be happy to ride round the narrow streets on a cycle but I will leave it till next time as Michael doesn't ride a bike. I studied the velib stand on our street and you seemed to need a navigo card. The good news is that there was an English flag to press for insructions in English. People don't seem to wear safety helmets or high vis jackets much, as they do here. There were lots and lots of high vis jackets on sale at markets and shops for 5E, this is VERY cheap, I paid £20 for mine. I wondered if this was some government initiative to promote safety. I was heartened to see people riding round in ordinary clothes, unlike the UK where you need to wear Lycra (ugh, shudder) or baggy shorts (more shudders) to be "cool". I am on a campaign to set a trend for chic urban middle aged cyclists. ( I'm too old and bumpy for Lycra!) I bought a fantastic, bright yellow, shiny. thigh length, trench coat in the sale at C&A for 14.99E (reduced by 70%) to ride my bike at home. I am so pleased with it. I went out yesterday to set the trend! I took this picture of this very chic cyclist outside the musee d'art moderne.  She is wearing a helmet, and these "bullet" type of helmets seem to be the thing to wear. Denise Love from England. |
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jul 27, 2008 2:39:01 GMT -5
Question: If I rent a Vélib for one day (1 €) and want to go for a ride, say in Bois de Vincennes. On my way I want to go in an have lunch in a bistrot. Can I park the Vélib and lock it outside the bistrot, or will I have to find a Vélib station to park it into ?? - and if yes, will I then have to pay another 1 € when I want to continue my cycling after lunch ?? Pfeeww, this is complicated.......  Denise - did you notice, if there were locks on the Vélibs ? |
|
|
|
Post by denise on Jul 27, 2008 3:22:09 GMT -5
:)Sorry Gitte I didn't notice if they had locks. I noticed some of them chained up in places.
As a matter of interest, when we went to Chateaux de Vincennes on Sunday all the Velibs near the metro were out. It WAS Sunday and there was a concert in Parc Floral. We went to the concert and we are still reeling from the pleasure of it all.
Denise
love from england
|
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jul 27, 2008 3:24:36 GMT -5
Found the answer in the FAQ on the Vélib website: www.en.velib.paris.fr/(only it doesn't say if one has to pay another euro. Perhaps I'll just go to BHV and buy an extra-long bicyclelock, to make sure the Vélib can be properly fastened to a lamppost, tree or whatever) Comment se servir de l’antivol ?Un antivol est mis à votre disposition lorsque vous avez besoin de faire de très courts arrêts. Vous souhaitez acheter une baguette de pain sur votre trajet, servez-vous de l’antivol. Passez l’extrémité de votre antivol dans l’axe prévu à cet effet, et récupérez la clé que vous verrez sortir automatiquement. Pour déverrouiller l’antivol, placez la clé dans la serrure et laissez celle-ci rangée au même endroit. Si vous faites un plus long arrêt, il est conseillé de déposer son vélo à la station la plus proche. La borne d’accrochage est en effet plus sécurisée. How to use the anti-theft-lock ?An anti-theft-lock is at your disposal when you need to make very short stops. You wish to buy a baguette during your trip: use the anti-theft-lock. Insert the end of the lock into ...... bla bla bla.... designed for this purpose, and remove the key which you will see come out automatically. To relase the anti-theft-lock, insert the key into the lock and make it go back into the same position. If you make a longer stop, it is advisable to place your Vélib in the nearest station. The "rack" (~ to which the Vélibs are fastened at the station) is indeed more secure. |
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Jul 28, 2008 16:52:47 GMT -5
Cool--I'd wondered about that too, Gitte. Not that it's likely I'll be renting one, since I can't get a credit card with that darn puce!
|
|
|
|
Post by Penny on Jul 29, 2008 12:44:32 GMT -5
Annette, I'm curious as to why you say your credit card will not work?
I had no problems using my Master Card (credit) or Visa debit card (although it was new, as in dumb me lost and had to have replaced) in London or Paris last year.
|
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jul 29, 2008 14:26:33 GMT -5
Penny, in Europe it has become a standard of creditcards that they have an electronical chip built in - for better safety and to avoid fraud. Therefore more and more automats and selfservice devices demand that your card has a chip ("puce") - including the Navigo and the Vélib automats. But strangely enough your American creditcards do not seem to come with a built-in electronical chip, leaving you folks a bit behind over here. This is how a chip card looks:  |
|
|
|
Post by willow on Jul 29, 2008 15:30:19 GMT -5
I can add a bit as to why the chip isn't too good and why some American companies are hesitant to use them. The little chip can actually increase the chance of fraud. The AMEX cards often have the chip and some crooks have already developed scanners that can pull information from your card by just being near the chip. It isn't common yet but it is out there. The scanners are strong enough where someone can get on a bus and pull information from any chipped cards on the whole bus.
I am not sure how widespread this is, but apparently it is a worrying point.
|
|
|
|
Post by willow on Jul 29, 2008 15:35:13 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by afds on Jul 30, 2008 12:41:00 GMT -5
I think it would take a fair amount of nerve to ride a bike through Paris traffic unless you live there and are used to it. There was a poor little Velib bike lying sadly on the ground near our hotel, for the entire duration of our stay, with twisted handlebars and a smashed headlamp.
|
|
hahahha