Riding bikes in Paris

I am interested in renting a Roue Libre bike in Paris- not the tours- I%26#39;d just like the flexibility for one day to ride around town.

When I take students to Florence some have starry-eyed visions of riding a bike or moped/scooter around town. I know that for someone who is not really used to the city it%26#39;s a good way to land in the hospital and I talk them out of it. (I%26#39;ve nearly been hit on many occasions and can only imagine if I was on the thing...)

Is riding a bike around Paris without someone to guide you around not a particularly smart idea? Or, can I pretend I%26#39;m Nino Quincampoix (without the motor, or Audrey Tautou for that matter) for the day?

|||

I%26#39;m not exactly sure of the answer but my instinct tells me that it would be risky without a guide. I say that partly because Fat Tire Tour makes a point of keeping its tour off the roads except when no other option exists and also because my experience is that its scary enough to be a pedestrian in Paris let alone on a bike. LOL :-)

Linda

|||

Thanks, I lived in NYC for years and never rode a bike, but the thought of doing it Paris sounds fun.

Well, maybe not.

Anyone else?

|||

My wife, two sons and I ride bikes all the time. Both rentals and tours are great. There are over 200km (I believe) of bike lanes in Paris. The streets along the Seine are also closed on Sunday mornings until around 5pm in the evening for bikers, roller bladers, walkers... and that is a great ride. No cars at all! For tours we always recommend Fat Tire as their tours are fantastic. They also do rentals or you can rent from Roue Libre too. I have not used Roue Libre%26#39;s bikes, but the seats, gears and fat tires (litterally) make the Fat Tire bikes really good. I%26#39;m pretty sure they charge either 2 or 2.5 Euros an hour.

|||

We ride the vélib bikes all over Paris to get from point A to point B, but we are used to riding bikes, and feel very comfortable. Many of our trips are in the bus/taxi lanes and that means that you have to be prepared to have a bus behind you or a taxi that brushes by missing you by inches. If you are not stable on a bike, I don%26#39;t think riding on the street in Paris would be a good idea. On the other hand, on Sunday, when some of the roads along the Seine are closed, is a great time to see Paris by bike. I still find it thrilling to breeze past famous monuments, feeling as free as a 12 year old.

|||

I did a couple of Fat Tire tours, and loved them, but what was really nice about them was the bikes. The extra cushy seats, the fat tires the good shock absorbers are so needed in Paris, were the roads are crappy, and most curbs have no ramp like they do here.

The only thing that really holds me back from renting a bike for a day is when ever you want to go INTO a site you have to leave the bike unattended, with perhaps, if they supply, a flimsy lock, and if the bike gets stolen ( and I bet that it is a target) you are most likely responsible , and I bet the bikes are not cheap.

|||

I haven%26#39;t rented in Paris (and still resisting doing so, except maybe the Bois) but have done so in Amsterdam a few times. The rental office usually offers a price with, and without, theft insurance. I imagine the Paris rentals would have the same benefit.

|||

My attitude is simple - if I won%26#39;t drive in Paris when I have the advantage of some slight protection from the automobile itself, why on earth would I ride a bike which gives me no protection at all?

|||

I recently signed up for the Velib program and riding a bike through Paris is not that scary. It is quite lovely. I do know the Velib program has a day and 7 day offer but my French is in the debutante stage so I can%26#39;t offer much more advice.

You just have to pay attention a lot more. Kind of like driving a manual after years of an automatic. Pay attention and stay alert. The taxis are the only vehicle to avoid.

|||

I ride all over the city on velib. It is wonderful. As for the safety issue, I also let my 14 year old ride, so I really don%26#39;t consider it to be risky at all.

|||

Absolutely rent a velib and go! It%26#39;s a great way to see the place. Try to get to the Seine on Sunday mornings like the previous post recommended. It%26#39;s wonderful way to see the city and interact with all of the residents of Paris who make this their weekly habit!