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I like the truth that in Paris everybody cycles: outdated males smoking Gauloises, stylish girls in pearls and heels, and individuals who handle to seek out sufficient room for his or her market basket on the again and a poodle balanced on the handlebars. It’s thought-about a manner of getting round reasonably than a sports activities exercise. And if you’ve received a motorbike, there are not any worries about Métro strikes, parking, pandemics (!!), or sporting out the soles of your sneakers.
Getting Round
Devoted bike lanes, widened bus corridors, and Vélib‘ municipal bikes have made biking in Paris loads simpler and accessible prior to now few years. Many of the metropolis is comparatively flat and might be crossed in about half-hour on a motorbike in regular visitors, though in the event you’re heading to Montmartre, Belleville, or the Butte-aux-Cailles, it’s possible you’ll need to try the brand new electrical bike choices beneath.
Bike Lane Maps
The Metropolis of Paris‘ grand growth plan for a city-wide community of motorbike lanes was lastly accomplished in 2020, simply in time for all the Parisians who took to bikes in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic to keep away from public transport. The most important change was the transformation of Rue de Rivoli and the quays alongside the Canal St-Martin, now reserved completely for bikes, metropolis busses, and taxis. Virtually each main avenue now has bike lanes, and with all the new cyclists, Paris is beginning to seem like Amsterdam or Copenhagen (with the bike lane bottlenecks at every intersection to go along with it). The pink lanes are “protected” from visitors with concrete obstacles, whereas the blue lanes are shared with the automobiles (you’ll see bike symbols painted onto the road, however no dividers).
The map above is from the most recent official brochure from the Mairie de Paris (Metropolis Corridor), “Paris à Vélo – Le Bon Plan”, which you’ll be able to choose up on the Paris Tourism Workplace on the Hôtel de Ville (29 rue de Rivoli, 4th). It’s already outdated since virtually all the deliberate lanes “en projet” (beneath building) are actually completed, however an excellent place to start out. There are many biking apps for Paris corresponding to GéoVélo (search for the “Aménagements cyclables” toggle for the bike lanes), however you may as well use Citymapper and even Google maps to seek out the most effective path to the place you need to go.
Extra Bike Lanes Each Yr
To make it simpler for Franciliens (these dwelling in Paris and the Ile-de-France département) to bike to work as an alternative of taking public transport in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, the regional transport authority created a collection of momentary bike lanes, particularly connecting town heart to the rapid suburbs (they did this by blockading one lane of visitors with bodily obstacles to maintain cyclists protected from automobiles and busses). That is what they appeared like:
Since then, many of those have turn into everlasting (and look loads prettier now), and town has an formidable schedule for much more new lanes between now and 2026 (the tip of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s second time period).
Right here’s a map of the everlasting bike lanes pre-2021 (solely the most important streets with protected lanes are represented):
Listed below are the present bike lanes with the everlasting addition of Coronapistes and different new bike lanes:
And here’s what Metropolis Corridor says Paris’ bike lanes will seem like by the tip of 2026 (they’re not fairly midway there but):
Protected Biking in Paris
With the loopy drivers, metropolis busses, tour busses, and daredevil scooters weaving via visitors, it was once scary to journey a motorbike in Paris as a result of there weren’t many bike lanes they usually have been so not often used that automobiles and supply vans took full benefit to dam them. Now that devoted bike lanes are everywhere in the metropolis, it may really feel loads safer from automobiles, however there are extra cyclists — particularly first-time cyclists — than ever. As of penning this in January 2024, all of it nonetheless feels a bit chaotic as we get used to one another. Vehicles and busses and scooters nonetheless have to get used to on the lookout for bikes earlier than they make proper turns. Cyclists nonetheless have to be taught to sign when turning, passing or stopping lifeless in entrance of a line of different cyclists. There are the electrical scooters which generally drive within the automotive lanes, generally within the bike lanes, and generally on the sidewalks. Maybe in just a few years we’ll all have fallen right into a routine that — like the best way Parisians drive — appears to be like scary from the skin however is smart if you’re within the stream (though my associates in Amsterdam say it’s extra probably everybody will simply get used to the chaos).
If You’re a New Bike owner or New to Paris
To compete with the Indy-racing automobiles and pedestrians chattering away obliviously on their cell telephones, fast reflexes and a little bit of angle go a good distance. Sunday morning is normally the most effective time to cycle across the capital when the few automobiles on the street aren’t more likely to be in a rush.
Know upfront the place you’re going or pull over to take a look at your telephone or map, don’t block the individuals behind you by going gradual and your telephone or squinting up at avenue indicators. All the time level to the place you’re going, look out for parked automobiles pulling out or opening doorways, and use the bike’s bell (together with a loud shout of “consideration!”) as a lot as doable. Assume each single different rider won’t do any of these items and be able to hit the brakes at any second.
You don’t should put on a helmet and a fluorescent vest, however you most likely ought to. By no means, ever attempt to go busses or massive vans on the suitable, since most dangerous bike accidents in Paris occur when a bus or massive truck turns proper with out seeing the bicycle owner. In the event that they go you and begin to decelerate (particularly busses making a cease), go on the left or wait behind them. If you happen to’re in a motorbike lane that’s shared with busses and get nervous when one is barreling down on you and unable to go (some drivers are jerks and tailgate cyclists), level to the curb and pull over till it passes so that you don’t get trapped within the gutters.
As a lot as you need to have a look at the attractive Parisian surroundings, please solely do that at cease indicators otherwise you threat being simply distracted sufficient to journey right into a pothole. And for goodness’ sake, don’t you dare attempt doing an Instagram selfie whereas biking; Parisians would possibly run you over on goal out of spite!
Paris Biking Guidelines
As talked about above, helmets truly aren’t required (except you’re beneath 12 years outdated), however there are just a few stable guidelines you do should comply with otherwise you threat getting fined:
- It’s essential to comply with the foundations of the street, corresponding to stopping at pink lights and for pedestrians in crosswalks. There are particular triangle-shaped bike indicators at sure pink lights that permit cyclists — as soon as they’ve stopped and confirmed there are not any automobiles or pedestrians — to proceed straight or flip proper, relying on the arrow on the signal.
- You’re not allowed to journey on the sidewalks (that is mildly tolerated on the actually extensive sidewalks in areas with out too many pedestrians, however technically you possibly can be fined).
- Earbuds and headphones of any form are usually not allowed, even when they’re not “turned on”. The police can’t inform if the music is on or not, so any bicycle owner with one thing of their ears might be fined (it’s additionally only a actually dumb thought…you want 110% of your listening expertise to remain alive when biking in Paris). Use a mounted smartphone holder and activate the GPS voice instructions if wanted, however not with earbuds.
- Lights on the back and front are required at night time, in addition to orange reflectors in your wheel spokes and pedals.
- A regular bike bell is required, however horns and whistles are usually not allowed (and don’t overlook you possibly can at all times use your voice to shout if crucial).
Bikes on Public Transportation
Bikes might be taken on Transilien trains and the RER, however not throughout rush hours (weekdays 6:30am-9:00am and 4:30pm-7:00pm). Usually you’re solely supposed to make use of solely the carriages marked with a bicycle image, however some RER trains don’t have the designated bike brand, so that you’ll simply should discover a house. Be aware: don’t depart your bike leaning towards the alternative door, as a result of generally the opposite aspect opens at sure stations
Metro line 1 is open to cyclists on Sundays solely till 4:30pm (though you possibly can’t get your bike previous the turnstiles at La Défense or Louvre-Rivoli). Busses are utterly off-limits to bicycles.
Automotive-Free Zones
If you happen to’re nonetheless afraid of the automobiles, head to the quays of the Seine, that are at all times car-free now. For scenic trails within the nice outdoor attempt the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes, the latter which might be reached by way of one of many nicest bike trails on the town know because the Promenade Plantée, on the finish of the Viaduc des Arts.
Automotive-Free Days
Or wait till Sunday for the car-free days generally known as the Paris Respire (Paris Breathes) undertaking. Sure sectors of Paris are closed off to automobiles each Sunday from roughly 10am-6pm, such because the Butte de Montmartre, Rue Mouffetard, the Marais district, the Sentier district, round Rue de la Roquette, La Villette, Rue des Martyrs, Place d’Aligre, Rue Daguerre, and sections of Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne. Then some sectors are solely closed to visitors on the primary Sunday of the month, such because the Avenue des Champs-Elysées and your complete 1st-4th arrondissements. Lastly, there are sectors closed off to automotive visitors simply in “summer season” (which appears to be totally different for every space) such because the Butte-aux-Cailles and round Luxembourg Gardens. There are additionally streets designated as “Zones de Rencontre” the place pedestrians at all times have the suitable of manner and the pace restrict is 20kph, such because the maze of small streets between the Seine and Boulevard St-Germain. Take a look at the Paris Réspire web site and map to get the complete particulars.
The place to Park Your Bike
Paris is slowly catching up with the demand for bike parking areas the place you possibly can safely lock up and depart your bike, however there are nonetheless instances if you’ll see nothing for blocks. Parisians lock their bikes to something that received’t transfer, from timber and avenue indicators to wrought iron fences and pedestrian obstacles. This isn’t an important long-term technique, so in the event you’re going to be gone for various hours and don’t need to threat municipal avenue cleaners eradicating your bike, then take the time to discover a spot out of the best way (ie not blocking pedestrians or automobiles or avenue cleaners or market stalls).
Free Road Parking
For normal avenue parking areas for bikes, you should use this interactive “Stationnement Deux Roues” map (gentle blue for bike parking, darkish blue for scooter parking, some have each). Cargo bikes can park in common avenue automotive parking spots free of charge. That is fantastic for short-term parking, however is at all times dangerous as a long-term resolution, particularly since vandals and thieves at all times goal bikes parked on the road.
Secured Bike Parking Choices
- In underground parking garages run by Indigo or Saemes (normally €10/month or €60-€75/12 months). Verify this map for the stations closest to you (be affected person, it masses gradual). The web site 12p5.com additionally lists non-public and safe parking areas for bikes and scooters in underground parking garages by the month or 12 months.
- The “abris vélo” seem like large aluminum packing containers taking on two avenue parking locations that outdated six bikes (€75/12 months). They’re virtually at all times full, however areas repeatedly open, so signal as much as get on the waitlist on the official Abris Sécurisés web site.
- Vélostations are open-air, fenced-in bike parking close to prepare stations with 198 spots (together with 5 spots for cargo bikes), accessible with a badge (€75/12 months). They’ve shops to cost electrical bikes and even lockers to retailer your battery. Thus far solely the one on the Gare de Lyon is open, you possibly can join one month, three months, or one 12 months via the Saemes web site (or straight at their Méditerannée parking storage).
Bike Theft Precautions
Bikes have a manner of disappearing rapidly in Paris, even in the event you suppose it isn’t “value something”. All the time, at all times, at all times lock your bike with the most effective lock (or locks) accessible. If you happen to’re leaving it on the road in a single day take away any equipment that may be simply stolen. Safe the entrance wheel and body, and take your battery with you if it’s an electrical bike. Contemplate getting a Bicycode engraved in your bike body on the Maison du Vélo (37 boulevard Bourdon, 4th). This registers your bike on the (non-public) nationwide database so authorities may also help return stolen bikes to their rightful homeowners. It’s additionally helpful in case your bike will get faraway from an unlawful parking house by municipal authorities to allow them to let you know.
Bike Leases & Excursions
There are just a few choices for renting bikes in Paris, relying on whether or not you’re a resident or a customer. If you happen to’re staying in a resort, do examine to see if they’ve their very own bikes accessible for rental (or if they will organize it for you). In any other case there are three rental choices: bike share subscription, short-term rental, or long-term rental.
Bike Share Programs
Vélib
Vélib is Paris’ municipal bike-share system. There are literally thousands of common bikes and electrical bikes accessible in docking stations everywhere in the metropolis and rapid suburbs. Residents can get cheap month-to-month and annual subscriptions (together with pay as you go from €1 per use). Guests can use a bank card to subscribe on-line for a single journey, a 24-hour go, or a 3-day go from €3-€20 protecting limitless use of the bikes in 30-minute increments (or 45 minutes for the e-bikes). You should definitely return the bike and choose up one other if you wish to proceed using. It’s not apparent the way it works, so here’s a detailed article I wrote with suggestions for getting your Vélib. Be aware that in the event you’re a US financial institution cardholder it would probably block a €300 deposit which you’ll get again after your subscription ends (assuming you returned all the bikes you used).
Free-Floating Bike Share
There have been a number of free-floating bike-share firms which have come and gone over the previous few years. A number of the present ones are the inexperienced Lime bikes, the pink/blue Dott bikes, and the turquoise Tier bikes. They have a tendency to “disappear” as a result of they are often parked and picked up wherever. They normally are pay-as-you-go from an app you’ll want to obtain in your smartphone, so there’s no dedication.
Brief Time period Bike Leases & Excursions
Guests can hire bikes by the hour, half-day, full-day and generally even every week. Leases normally require a photograph ID and safety deposit. Ensure you additionally hire a lock in case you need to cease someplace. Bikes “get lost” in a short time in large cities!
Bike About Excursions
Le Peloton Café
17, Rue du Pont Louis Philippe, 4th
M° Pont Marie
Tel 0618 80 84 92
That is one in all my favourite bike tour firms in Paris. Expats Christian (from the US) and Paul (from New Zealand) began the corporate in 2005. You possibly can take one in all their non-public or small group bike excursions of Paris, Versailles, or the Champagne area. It’s also possible to hire a motorbike to zoom round by yourself by the day or half-day. Their headquarters (and assembly place for the bike excursions) is on the Peloton Café, an important place to cease for a espresso and home made cake even in the event you’re not taking a tour (learn my article about it right here).
Fats Tire Excursions
24 Rue Edgar Faure, fifteenth
M° Dupleix
Tel 01 56 58 10 54
Run by a younger household of native Texans, this pleasant bike tour firm conducts night time and day bike excursions of Paris. Additionally they hire out bikes for all ages, well-equipped with youngster seats, helmets, trailers and rain gear. Open day by day.
Gepetto & Vélos
59 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 5th
M° Cardinal Lemoine
Tel 01 43 37 16 17
Rents, sells and repairs all sorts of bicycles and equipment, together with helmets (I received mine right here). Closed Sunday and Monday.
Atélier Vélo Solidaire – AICV
38 Quai Marne nineteenth
M° Ourcq
Tel 01 43 43 40 74
This non-profit neighborhood affiliation recovers and repairs bicycles, then rents them out at a really affordable price (“location”). Additionally they promote reconditioned bikes for teenagers and adults each Sunday morning from 9:30am (or Saturday afternoon in winter). Metropolis cruisers, mountain bikes, and tandems accessible for all ages, and consists of lock and bungees. No eBikes as of January 2024, however presumably subsequent season. Proper by the Parc de la Villette on the Canal St-Martin. Open Tues-Sat in winter (Nov-March), and Wed-Solar April-October: 9:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-5pm. Additionally try their FB web page.
SoliCycle Rives de Seine
Voie Georges Pompidou (Below the Pont d’Arcole, 4th)
M° Hôtel de Ville or Cité
Tel 06 66 52 76 55 (Olivier)
A non-profit bike recyclerie proper on the Berges du Seine that repairs, sells, and rents bikes. Additionally they have workshops the place you possibly can learn to restore your individual bike. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-1pm and 2pm-6:30pm (examine for vacation hours on their web site). There are two different areas in Paris within the 14th and 18th arrondissements (and a number of other extra within the suburbs).
French Mystique Bike Excursions
That is by far one of the simplest ways to expertise the Parisian countryside with none trouble. Simply contact Bruce and he’ll deal with every thing. Bruce moved to France from Boston in 2008 and spent his free time exploring the little cities, villages, and countryside outdoors Paris with nothing however a Michelin map and his bike. He began French Mystique Bike excursions to share his favourite routes with guests (and Parisians) trying to escape town. Learn my article about my very own expertise on his excursions “Bike Excursions of the Parisian Countryside”. You possibly can see the most recent information on their FB web page.
Paris Rando Vélo [suspended until further notice]
Be part of the free Friday night time bike excursions of town (separate from the well-known Friday Night time Fever Skate). Meet at 9:30pm (the journey begins at 10pm sharp) on the Hôtel de Ville (4th). It goes in a round scenic route round Paris, returning to the beginning at about 1am. Additionally they meet the third Sunday of the month in the identical place at 10:30am. Be aware that youngsters beneath 12 are required to put on helmets. The journey is canceled in case of rain. The final official journey was in December 2022, with some riders nonetheless assembly informally all through 2023; examine again for any updates on their web site: http://www.parisrandovelo.fr/
Lengthy-Time period Bike Rental
Sick of at all times on the lookout for a Vélib that isn’t damaged? If you happen to’d prefer to hire a motorbike of your individual for no less than one month, there are just a few choices:
Swapfiets
The Dutch bike rental firm well-known for his or her blue entrance wheel opened their Paris store in September 2020. They provide single-speed or 7-speed Dutch bikes from €14/month, and eBikes from €55/month. There’s no minimal subscription (though there’s a €30 sign-up charge for any leases lower than 6-months, and the long-term leases are inexpensive). The good factor is that the subscription consists of repairs or alternative in case your bike is stolen inside 48 hours (the bike comes with a double-locking system). I’ve been utilizing their Deluxe-7 bike, and discover it actually gentle and enjoyable to journey round Paris.
Décathlon
“DRent” is the brand new month-to-month rental service from the huge sporting items chain retailer Décathlon accessible in Paris and Lyon (three month minimal). They’ve 4 bike choices: single pace Dutch bike (€15/month), 7-speed Dutch bike (€35/month), folding electrical bike (€65/month) and common electrical bike (€95/month). The bikes include a basket, bike rack, locks, and lights. Like Swapfiets, they embrace insurance coverage for repairs or alternative in case of theft. You want proof of tackle (like an electrical invoice) to hire, and there’s a €15 sign-up charge. NOTE: you’ll want to enroll via the native store, so search for the one in Paris closest to you and go in particular person.
Véligo
Véligo are electrical bikes which you can hire for a most of 9 months at €40/month (bigger cargo bikes for households from €80/month). That features upkeep and locks. They’re run by the Ile-de-France Regional Transport Authority to encourage Franciliens to attempt electrical bikes earlier than shopping for one. You possibly can pay a bit of additional for a helmet, youngster seat or bike rack. To hire, you’ll want proof of residency within the Ile de France (and normally your employer will cowl 50% of the rental worth).
Different Lengthy-Time period Bike Rental Corporations
A number of the most up-to-date newcomers are Crimson Will, who supply deluxe electrical bikes from €75/month (household bikes for €135), and Motto, which gives 4 totally different electrical bike fashions beginning at €69/month. They will each be canceled anytime, so it might be value testing each and holding the one you want greatest.
Extra Biking in Paris Assets
The Paris Tourism Workplace (29 rue de Rivoli, 4th) has free maps of the bike lanes. Their web site gives some prompt scenic routes for guests and biking suggestions: https://en.parisinfo.com/what-to-see-in-paris/data/guides/paris-cycling-exploring
La Maison du Vélo (37 Boulevard Bourdon, 4th) is a superb place for details about biking in Paris, the place to get your bike mounted, find out how to get the electrical bike subsidy grant, they usually additionally will engrave your body with an offical Bicycode monitoring quantity. Additionally they host workshops on bike restore, classes for newbies, used bike gross sales, and bike excursions (they run the free Saturday morning bike via the Bois de Vincennes from 9:30am in entrance of the boutique (however the Maison is just open Tues-Fri 1:30-5pm).
The Fédération française des Usagers de la Bicyclette (FUB), is the French Federation of Bicycle Customers, a non-profit affiliation that lobbies for the day by day issues of cyclists and promote the usage of the bicycle as a day by day mode of journey, via the networking of native associations, session with public authorities, and normal public communication campaigns. All in French, however value following in the event you’re an everyday bicycle owner in France.
For multi-day bike journeys to or from Paris, try Vélo & Territoires, which has free step-by-step itineraries for La Seine à Vélo (aka “Le V33”) following the Seine by bike from Paris to Le Havre or Honfleur by way of Rouen, and La Véloscénie (“Le V40”) from Paris to the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel by way of Chartres and Normandy.
Biking Vocabulary
Vélo bicycle
Vélo tout-terrain (VTT) mountain bike
Vélo tout-chemin (VTC) hybrid bike
Vélo de ville metropolis cruiser bicycle
Casque helmet
Anti-vol anti-theft lock
Panier basket
Piste cyclable bike lane
Location/louer rental/to hire
Movies for Resident Riders in Paris
If you happen to reside in Paris and cycle recurrently (or need to begin), don’t miss the wonderful movies by the native biking crusader, Altis Play. He’s turn into an professional on correct city planning to advertise biking in Paris (in addition to on foot and public transport), specializing in security, by educating everybody — together with drivers and cyclists and metropolis officers who design the streets and bike lanes — on the place we will do higher. A few of his movies present him difficult drivers (coming at him down the bike lane!), stating harmful intersections, and customarily advocating for everybody to be thoughtful of one another so we will all get to the place we’re going in a single piece. Right here’s an instance (this one is primarily “academic”):
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