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Post by chicchantal on Jul 30, 2008 13:19:37 GMT -5
I saw loads and loads of people riding them last week (sigh . . . ), and they weren't all obviously fit types with helmets etc. The snag is apparently that you need to park them in a proper velib park, and if all the places are taken you can't park and may end up paying a fine for overtime or the other end of town because it's the only place you can find to park. I would love to have a go but I'm really unfit and have lousy balance so I'm not sure it's a good idea. While cycling round the place de la Concorde would be a bit hairy, most of Paris is small streets and I think you'd be perfectly fine. Eg you would be able to tour the Marais or the Latin quarter by velib. Don't think I'd fancy it in Montmartre though, strangely!  |
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 13, 2008 16:03:51 GMT -5
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Post by GitteK on Aug 14, 2008 4:46:06 GMT -5
Use your MasterCard or other credit card, where the debited amount is not drawn from your account untill the following month.
And I agree with the majority of the replies in TA:
Read the whole text before hiring any bikes, cars, scooters, boats, apartments or whatever. All else is glaring naiveness.
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Post by Sarastro on Aug 20, 2008 12:36:13 GMT -5
Sorry Willow but I must disagree with this statement.
While it is indeed true that technology exists that can decode an EMV chip, the level of technological sophistication required is far greater than the simple reading of a magnet strip on the back side of a credit card (easily done). Throw in the PIN required for user authentication and the EMV card is many times safer than the magnetic strip card.
The article you reference does not discuss EMV protocol used on microchip credit cards, but rather Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) which is a different animal.
Virtually every country in the world (OK it's actually 78 countries including Mexico and Canada) has made plans to convert their banking systems to accept the micro chip credit card. There is only one hold out - the US banking system.
I believe the reason is simply because the banks here do not want to spend the money for the conversion. They really don't have to, the bulk of the fraud risk lies with the vendors, not the banks.
Magnetic strip cards will continue to be accepted by hotels and those areas whose economies are dependent upon tourism. However, as magnet strip cards become the dinosaurs of the credit purchase business, we tourists who carry them will be subject to transaction delays, increased frustration, and possibly embarrassing situations.
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Post by Truffaut on Aug 20, 2008 15:14:29 GMT -5
Amen, Sarastro! I suspect the US will switch to the chip just about the same time we adopt the metric system.
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Post by Jody on Aug 20, 2008 15:23:23 GMT -5
Magnetic strip cards will continue to be accepted by hotels and those areas whose economies are dependent upon tourism. However, as magnet strip cards become the dinosaurs of the credit purchase business, we tourists who carry them will be subject to transaction delays, increased frustration, and possibly embarrassing situations
Had that experience in London, tried to pay with a US credit card and nothing worked, there was no manager available and the poor waitress didn't know what to do, and neither did any0ne else in the place. This was shortly after the chip came into being. Fortunately I had the 50 GBP in my wallet..it was a very nice place and an excellent lunch. I usually don;t have that much cash on hand. Reminded me of the time in Rome when after a lovely expensive dinner the CC machines weren't working and I had to leave my husband as security while I went out to find an ATM> I was accompanied by a lovely young Frenchman who also didn't have enough cash in his pocket!!
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Post by Darcy on Aug 20, 2008 15:35:00 GMT -5
Amen, Sarastro! I suspect the US will switch to the chip just about the same time we adopt the metric system. The US is the only civilized (and I use that term loosely) country in the world that is not on the metric system. How ridiculous we look to the rest of the world!  |
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Post by GitteK on Feb 3, 2009 13:03:27 GMT -5
OK, I'll give it another try, as I was too much of a chicken to try one in September. Not because of the dangers of cycling, but because of the peril in which I might put my finances.........  Can anyone of you Paris EXPERTS (truffy, phread, sunshine, kerouac ?) explain why it at some places says that the price is only 1 euro for a FULL day  and only 5 euros for 7 days - and at other places shows outrageous prices  : "The cost of the Vélib’ service will be debited according to the following rates: PRICES 1st additional half hour = 1 euro 2nd additional half hour = 2 euros From the 3rd additional half hour = 4 euros per additional half hour  EXAMPLES 25-minute journey = 0 euro 50-minute journey = 1 euro 1 hour 15 minute journey = 3 euros "An thorough, reassuring, neat-and-easy, pedagogical explanation given will earn you une coupe de champagne to collect à Paris !  |
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Post by Truffaut on Feb 3, 2009 13:40:32 GMT -5
The 1 and 5 euro amounts are for daily and weekly subscriptions. With a subscription, the first 30 minutes of each use are at no charge. After that first 30-minute period, you'll pay 1 euro for an additional 30 minutes, 2 euros for the next 30 minutes, and then 4 euros for each additional 30-minute segment. The subscription does not entitle you to take a bicycle and keep it all day! It's sort of like having a Navigo Decouverte. The pass gives you the right to use the Metro, but you must still pay for your specific use.
The rates may seem a little high, but keep in mind that you can pedal from one side of the city to the other in 45 minutes, so it would only cost you 1 euro for the trip. The bikes are meant to replace private and public transportation for specific trips--not to serve as tourist vehicles.
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Post by phread on Feb 3, 2009 13:50:58 GMT -5
Gitte, The site is temporarily disabled so I can't check it out, but the prices sound about right.
Lets see if I can clear this up.
You subscribe to the SERVICE for 1 euro a day or 5 euros a week.
For this fee you get a code so that you can then rent the bikes.
Bike rental fess work according to the schedule posted above.
The trick is that no one ever uses them for more than an hour. There are stands everywhere, so after half an hour, you just plug it in, wait two minutes and then take it out again, keeping the a days rental free (remember you've already paid one euro for the service, but nothing for the actual rental). You would not, for example, want to lock a Vel'ib to a post while enjoying a leisurely lunch. You simply deposit your bike at the nearest station and then take out another bike when you are ready to head out.
BTW. When you go to park you bike it could happen that the station is full. If that is the case, every station has a post with a map of the nearest stations AND you can swipe your card (the one with the code, not your credit card) for an additional 15 minutes free!
I hope this makes more sense to you. You could end up spending three hours on a vel'ib in one day and it would cost you nothing, as long as there are breaks in between. My annual subscription is 15 euros. I never had to pay the rental rates, and I use the bikes regularly!
If that is still vague, let me know and I'll try to make it clearer. I'd also be happy to accompany you for your first ride if the company would give you confidence.
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Post by phread on Feb 3, 2009 13:52:08 GMT -5
Truffaut, yours had not been posted when I began my reply... great minds with the subscription analogy.
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Post by GitteK on Feb 3, 2009 13:52:31 GMT -5
Ouuhhhh.............. how disappointing.  So it means that I will have to pay BOTH 1 euro per day PLUS those other fees. Hmmmmm........ If I understand it correctly, I owe you both une coupe.  After all it's not your fault that my expectations were too high.  OK, the rates are not that bad really. I intend to do Bois de Vincennes on bike and even if it should cost me a few euros, it's really not a big expense (compared to all those splurgy, sumptuous lunches......) ;D ;D |
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Post by phread on Feb 3, 2009 15:52:44 GMT -5
Bois de Vincennes from the center of Paris with a 6 year old only takes 45 minutes. You could park your bike for a cafe break at one of the cafes along the Promenade Plantée and then switch bikes once you arrive at the Bois. That would keep the ride free... except for the cafe and the two coupes. ha ha.
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Post by GitteK on Feb 3, 2009 16:04:21 GMT -5
Bois de Vincennes from the center of Paris with a 6 year old only takes 45 minutes. You could park your bike for a cafe break at one of the cafes along the Promenade Plantée and then switch bikes once you arrive at the Bois. That would keep the ride free... except for the cafe and the two coupes. ha ha. I plan to go with the metro to Porte Dorée or Porte de Vincennes and then grab a Vélib from there, thus only biking on relatively secure forest paths My plans are to visit l'Institut Bouddhique, the lakes and then maybe a light refreshment at Le Châlet des îles Daumesnil. |
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Post by kerouac on Feb 3, 2009 16:25:36 GMT -5
There is no reason to worry about how long it takes to get from one place to another. There are stations every 400 meters. If you are approaching 30 minutes of use, all you have to do is hitch your bike into a station, wait for the light to go green, and then from that moment, you can take the very same bike to continue on your journey. This takes about 10 seconds.
I will admit, however, that if you pull into an empty station and 5 people are waiting, it might be somewhat difficult to keep the same bicycle.
When a station is full, you can still check into the station and it will give you 15 minutes free to get to another station (but just once -- if you arrive at another station that is full, it will not propose this offer a second time).
Also, there are numerous stations that are labeled "Vélib+" -- they are stations at higher levels (Montmartre, Buttes Chaumont, Montagne Ste. Geneviève, upper Belleville, etc.) and you are given a bonus of 15 minutes to be used at a later time for returning a bicycle there. You can build up substantial bonuses by doing this several times and have the right to keep a bike for 2 hours or more.
Isn't life wonderful?
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Post by Truffaut on Feb 3, 2009 16:42:39 GMT -5
Kerouac,
That's interesting about the Velib+ stations. I had wondered how well that was working for the unfortunate souls on the upper reaches of Montmartre. A friend who lived on Damremont was constantly complaining that there were never any bicycles at any of her nearby stations. Nobody wants to pedal uphill, so they return their bikes at the foot of the hill and walk up.
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Post by kerouac on Feb 3, 2009 17:08:32 GMT -5
And that's why the "Vélib+" scheme was invented -- I have only been awarded a bonus once, and it did come in very handy when I went overtime (31 minutes!) once.
But that was quite a long trip at night, from Cour Saint Emilion in the 12th to Marx Dormoy in the 18th, so that shows how much ground you can cover when you are motivated. The only reason I went overtime is that twice I was at a red light next to a police car, so I was unable to allow myself the decision about whether it was safe to cross a completely empty intersection or not.
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Post by phread on Feb 4, 2009 3:12:01 GMT -5
Gitte, the Promenade Plante is a raised railway path with bicycle lanes and no cars, you even get your own tunnels and stop lights. It is a wonderful place to start your ride, very scenic and taking you through parts of Paris that make you feel it is 1951.
And there are Vel'ib stands all around the Bois, so it will be easy to change bikes as you visit. Just be sure to download the Vel'ib map from their site. I recommend doing this at the last minute, because new stations are being added daily!
Kerouac... I've walked my bike up to a + station once, but just did not have what it took to get up with pedal power. I'm such a wimp!
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Post by GitteK on Feb 4, 2009 4:47:52 GMT -5
Gitte, the Promenade Plantée is a raised railway path with bicycle lanes and no cars, you even get your own tunnels and stop lights. It is a wonderful place to start your ride, very scenic and taking you through parts of Paris that make you feel it is 1951. I know, phreaddie - been there, but I didn't notice any bicycles, so I suppose the biking is allowed only in the eastern end of the promenade ?  |
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Post by cybee on Feb 4, 2009 9:53:12 GMT -5
GitteK,
I will be very interested in your experience of biking at Bois de Vincennes (if you do give it a go!). I had been thinking of doing the same (!!) in June with my son and daughter. I also am interested in visiting the Bois de Boulogne.
Whoah...my "time line" below says 16 days until my next trip!! I have not quite wrapped my mind around the fact I am really going that soon!
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and only 5 euros for 7 days - and 
: 
After all it's not your fault that my expectations were too high. 
hahahha