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Post by annette on Feb 4, 2009 9:56:52 GMT -5
Has anyone from the US figured out yet how to rent a Velib without a chip in their credit card? Is there a pre-paid debit card or something similar we can buy from somewhere in the EU that would work for this?
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Post by GitteK on Feb 4, 2009 11:20:40 GMT -5
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Post by annette on Feb 4, 2009 12:28:47 GMT -5
Thanks for posting these, Gitte--you're a sweetie. But somehow the allure is lost if I have to plan ahead to rent a bike vs. checking one out on a whim just because it looks fun at the moment  |
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Post by Jody on Feb 10, 2009 8:45:44 GMT -5
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Post by framboiseetrose on Feb 10, 2009 12:51:38 GMT -5
One problem my friend had encountered. She had to go to the Doctor on a velib. She was supposed to return it and walk to the restaurant where her husband and I were meeting her. The closest place where she can return the bike was miles away and the bus ride to the restaurant was long (traffic and all). That's the closest place where they have room to park the bike........... We had to wait almost an hour for our dinner. This was in September when the weather was perfect - that may account for it...........
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Post by PariS on Feb 27, 2009 22:52:01 GMT -5
I think I've gotten an answer to my question above (how to rent Velib without a chipped credit card). I read on TA that AmEx credit cards work in the Velib kiosks, so I want to try it next time we go. I've copied off the English version of their Terms & Conditions from the Velib website to have on hand (I understand the machines are in French, so I'll follow the directions on my copy), and also a map of Velib locations so we know where we can return them. I'll report back if we are successful! Here's the link to find the Terms & Conditions in English (click on "General Terms and Conditions of Access and Use" at the bottom of the page, and a document will open that you can then print) www.en.velib.paris.fr/abonnements_tarifs/abonnement_courte_duree/tickets_velib_1_jour_1_et_7_jours_5__1 |
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slowpoke
Full Member
Cruising into Paris
Posts: 131
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Post by slowpoke on Feb 28, 2009 19:03:45 GMT -5
Actually Annette you can choose your language just like at an ATM. Vélib trips are a great way to get around Paris. If we are making a trip across the city that we know will take longer than 30 minutes, we start looking for a stand after 20 minutes, park the bike for a minute or two and then start the 30 minutes all over again. The annual card only costs us 30 euros a year, and I bet we haven't had more than 3-4 euros in extra charges a year. Stands are everywhere, but occasionally you run into a situation where there are no free spaces and that could cause you to show up late for dinner with friends which is probably what happened to framboiseetrose's friend.
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Post by PariS on Feb 28, 2009 22:48:44 GMT -5
Actually Annette you can choose your language just like at an ATM. This is great to know! Now I won't have to keep that printout in my purse (Paris purse space is at a premium with the tiny one I like to carry!) Thanks too, for the tips on how you manage your time when on the bikes. My husband is making fun of me today for wanting to do this. He keeps reminding me that the last time I was on wheels I broke my arm!  |
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Post by denise on Mar 1, 2009 3:45:27 GMT -5
:)My friend Vicky, who is coming to Paris with me on my next trip, sent me a text a couple of weeks ago saying " they have a scheme where you can hire bikes off the street in Paris. I will research it and let you know" ;D ;DShe is determined to try it, so I may finally get to ride around Paris on a bike!
Denise
love from england
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Post by GitteK on Mar 1, 2009 3:51:32 GMT -5
phread, slowpoke,kerouac and others: why all the stress about changing bikes in order to keep cyckling "for free" ? I don't think I'd bother, really - after all it is not that big an expense. But of course, if you use them on a daily basis, it will save you some. But isn't it cheating the system, just a little bit ?  (Yes, I know I whined about the euro-thing a few posts up......  ) |
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Post by kerouac on Mar 1, 2009 15:29:21 GMT -5
I think the statistics say that only about 7% of the rides incur time charges.
The system is paid for by the advertising company JC Decaux, which makes a bundle of money off advertising in Paris. All the money made by the system goes into the coffers of the city of Paris.
That's all you need to know in terms of finances. If you want to pay extra, that is fine with me.
Meanwhile, it is the city of Paris that is financing the extension into the suburban cities. The first stations will be operational by the end of the month (at the moment, there are no plans for any station more than 1500 meters from the Paris city limits). This would imply that the city of Paris finds the system profitable.
Is there any reason to give the city more money than that?
Anyway, there is no stress about changing bikes when the time limit is approaching. You just do it when you feel that the time is near, and it is not a problem at all.
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Post by Sandy M on Mar 15, 2009 12:05:48 GMT -5
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Post by phread on Mar 16, 2009 5:07:00 GMT -5
That is just gossip based on one article. There is absolutely NO TALK of ending the system. In fact, it is being expanded constantly.
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Post by kerouac on Mar 16, 2009 12:50:42 GMT -5
At the beginning of the month, work started in 30 suburbs of Paris to extend the system. The new stations should start coming online by the month of May. This will add another 4500 bikes to the system.
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) 
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha