Secrets of Paris

So I got a letter from Bruce who disagreed with my newsletter statement that American tourists would not be able to use the new Vélib bike service. Just in case any of you are also confused, here's some clarification:

Hi Heather,
My understanding of the bicycle rental program is as follows:

Users will obtain a Velib card from a Post Office, Tabac etc and leave a
refundable deposit or credit card commitment, and the cycles  can be used for up to half an
hour for free, and returned to any location.

The way it actually works is that you go to the Post, a tabac, any town hall, etc. and get the FORM, which you would then need to fill out with: your bank account number, authorization for Vélib' to automatically withdraw the deposit if you don't return the bike, and your address (the online form only allows you to choose the following countries as your residence: France, UK, Belgium, Spain, Germany). You then have to send this in to a post office box in the 'burbs along with your check for €29. They then send you your Vélib' card in about 15 days.

Thus, there is nowhere to pay a human being for the Vélib' card. And the card is only available for those subscribing for the year. 

There will also be 3 subscriptions for time periods: 1 euro per day, 5 euros for 7 days, or 29
euros for a year. It sounds as though a rider can just pick up and return as
many times as he/she chooses during the time period, which would be great for
sightseeing. A visitor could see a lot of Paris with a map and one euro!

This is not true either. Those who would like to use the 1-day or 7-day subscription do not get a Vélib' card, they simply insert their credit card (WITH the microchip) directly into the machines at the Vélib' stations. If you do not have a card with the microchip -- and US cards do not -- you cannot use these machines.

  

Apparently they will be available to anyone, visitor or resident. I don't
think a US credit card would be a problem, because the Velib card is issued by a
person who presumably could take a US card with a signature, or cash as a deposit.

 Again, the card is not issued by a person, but by an office after you've filled out the forms and sent in your check, automatic payment form, and something called a RIB (issued by French banks with the details of your account).

 Yes, this is a bummer for tourists, but the system wasn't set up for them. It's for the residents. And

 Also wonder what the impact will be on "Fat Tyre Bike Tours" or some of the
other bike tour operators. Fat Tyre also run Segway tours, so maybe they'll have
to concentrate more on that.

Doubt it. They offer guided tours with commentary, not just cheap bike rentals. Seems to be two completely different things.

There's a station right below my building, so I've been watching each morning for the bikes to arrive....apparently they're coming next week. Will keep y'all posted.  Thanks for the email, Bruce! Hope this clears up a few issues.