I’ve been asked this question numerous times by my legions of fans out there… (ahem… ok, so it was only by my mum), but vélib’ is the name of the public transport bicycles in Paris. You can “prendre un vélib’” just like you can “prendre le métro”, and usually mentioning this gets an understanding nod as a reply.

For, you see, vélib’s are bicycles that can be rented from stations apparently every 300m across Paris, mainly at metro stations and other transport and tourist hubs. They can be rented with either a daily, weekly or yearly subscription and the first half hour of any rental is free.

I’m sure there are a myriad of neologisms screaming to be coined (and perhaps already have been) about vélib’ behaviour. I think there needs to be a term for speeding vélib’ riders, desperately hurtling through the streets (they are on their 29th minute and can’t find a station); for the anguish of finding a station full when you want to drop off your bike; for the heartbreak when you need to get somewhere and the station is empty, except the one bike with the flat tire.

Some friends of my parents recently visited Paris, and the lasting impression for them was created by the immaculately dressed business-cyclists heading off to work, in pressed suits or power-skirts with stockings and heels.

I was having a look on youtube to see if I could find a better visual description. I settled for a humorous one instead…


This is not how I rode home yesterday morning!