I like the truth that in Paris everybody cycles: outdated males smoking Gauloises, stylish ladies in pearls and heels, and individuals who handle to search out sufficient room for his or her market basket on the again and a poodle balanced on the handlebars. It’s thought of a method of getting round moderately than a sports activities exercise. And once you’ve acquired a motorcycle, there are not any worries about Métro strikes, parking, pandemics (!!), or carrying out the soles of your footwear.
Getting Round
Devoted bike lanes, widened bus corridors, and Vélib‘ municipal bikes have made biking in Paris quite a bit simpler and accessible up to now few years. A lot of the metropolis is comparatively flat and may be crossed in about half-hour on a motorcycle in regular visitors, though for those who’re heading to Montmartre, Belleville, or the Butte-aux-Cailles, you could need to try the brand new electrical bike choices under.
Bike Lane Maps
The Metropolis of Paris‘ grand enlargement plan for a city-wide community of motorcycle lanes was lastly accomplished in 2020, simply in time for the entire 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 solely for bikes, metropolis busses, and taxis. Virtually each main road now has bike lanes, and with the entire new cyclists, Paris is beginning to appear to be Amsterdam or Copenhagen (with the bike lane bottlenecks at every intersection to go along with it). The purple lanes are “protected” from visitors with concrete limitations, whereas the blue lanes are shared with the vehicles (you’ll see bike symbols painted onto the road, however no dividers).
The map above is from the newest official brochure from the Mairie de Paris (Metropolis Corridor), “Paris à Vélo – Le Bon Plan”, which you’ll be able to decide up on the Paris Tourism Workplace on the Hôtel de Ville (29 rue de Rivoli, 4th). It’s already outdated since nearly the entire deliberate lanes “en projet” (underneath development) are actually completed, however a very good place to begin. There are many biking apps for Paris reminiscent of GéoVélo (search for the “Aménagements cyclables” toggle for the bike lanes), however you can too use Citymapper and even Google maps to search out the most effective path to the place you need to go.
Extra Bike Lanes Each Yr
To make it simpler for Franciliens (these residing 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 quick suburbs (they did this by blocking one lane of visitors with bodily limitations to maintain cyclists secure from vehicles and busses). That is what they regarded like:
Since then, many of those have change into everlasting (and look quite a bit prettier now), and town has an formidable schedule for much more new lanes between now and 2026 (the top of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s second time period).
Right here’s a map of the everlasting bike lanes pre-2021 (solely the foremost 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 appear to be by the top of 2026 (they’re not fairly midway there but):
Secure Biking in Paris
With the loopy drivers, metropolis busses, tour busses, and daredevil scooters weaving by way of visitors, it was once scary to experience a motorcycle in Paris as a result of there weren’t many bike lanes they usually have been so hardly ever used that vehicles and supply vehicles took full benefit to dam them. Now that devoted bike lanes are everywhere in the metropolis, it could possibly really feel quite a bit safer from vehicles, 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. Automobiles 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 useless 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 way in which Parisians drive — appears scary from the surface however is smart once you’re within the stream (though my pals in Amsterdam say it’s extra probably everybody will simply get used to the chaos).
If You’re a New Bicycle owner or New to Paris
To compete with the Indy-racing vehicles and pedestrians chattering away obliviously on their cell telephones, fast reflexes and a little bit of perspective go a great distance. Sunday morning is normally the most effective time to cycle across the capital when the few vehicles on the street aren’t prone to be in a rush.
Know prematurely the place you’re going or pull over to have a look at your cellphone or map, don’t block the folks behind you by going sluggish and your cellphone or squinting up at road indicators. At all times level to the place you’re going, look out for parked vehicles 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 in all probability ought to. By no means, ever attempt to go busses or giant vehicles on the correct, since most dangerous bike accidents in Paris occur when a bus or giant 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. When you’re in a motorcycle 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 take a look at the beautiful Parisian surroundings, please solely do that at cease indicators otherwise you threat being simply distracted sufficient to experience right into a pothole. And for goodness’ sake, don’t you dare strive doing an Instagram selfie whereas biking; Parisians may run you over on function out of spite!
Paris Biking Guidelines
As talked about above, helmets really aren’t required (except you’re underneath 12 years outdated), however there are just a few strong guidelines you do should observe otherwise you threat getting fined:
- You have to observe the principles of the street, reminiscent of stopping at purple lights and for pedestrians in crosswalks. There are particular triangle-shaped bike indicators at sure purple lights that permit cyclists — as soon as they’ve stopped and confirmed there are not any vehicles or pedestrians — to proceed straight or flip proper, relying on the arrow on the signal.
- You’re not allowed to experience on the sidewalks (that is mildly tolerated on the actually large sidewalks in areas with out too many pedestrians, however technically you can be fined).
- Earbuds and headphones of any type aren’t 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 may be fined (it’s additionally only a actually dumb thought…you want 110% of your listening abilities 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.
- An ordinary bike bell is required, however horns and whistles aren’t allowed (and don’t neglect you’ll be able to all the time use your voice to shout if vital).
Bikes on Public Transportation
Bikes may 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 emblem, so that you’ll simply should discover a house. Word: don’t go away your bike leaning in opposition to the other 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’ll be able to’t get your bike previous the turnstiles at La Défense or Louvre-Rivoli). Busses are fully off-limits to bicycles.
Automobile-Free Zones
When you’re nonetheless afraid of the vehicles, head to the quays of the Seine, that are all the time car-free now. For scenic trails within the nice outdoor strive the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes, the latter which may be reached through one of many nicest bike trails on the town know because the Promenade Plantée, on the finish of the Viaduc des Arts.
Automobile-Free Days
Or wait till Sunday for the car-free days referred to as the Paris Respire (Paris Breathes) venture. Sure sectors of Paris are closed off to vehicles 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 the whole 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 all the time have the correct of method and the pace restrict is 20kph, such because the maze of small streets between the Seine and Boulevard St-Germain. Try the Paris Réspire web site and map to get the total particulars.
The place to Park Your Bike
Paris is slowly catching up with the demand for bike parking areas the place you’ll be able to safely lock up and go away your bike, however there are nonetheless instances once you’ll see nothing for blocks. Parisians lock their bikes to something that received’t transfer, from timber and road indicators to wrought iron fences and pedestrian limitations. This isn’t an ideal long-term technique, so for those who’re going to be gone for quite a lot of hours and don’t need to threat municipal road cleaners eradicating your bike, then take the time to discover a spot out of the way in which (ie not blocking pedestrians or vehicles or road cleaners or market stalls).
Free Avenue Parking
For normal road parking areas for bikes, you should use this interactive “Stationnement Deux Roues” map (mild blue for bike parking, darkish blue for scooter parking, some have each). Cargo bikes can park in common road automotive parking spots totally free. That is high quality for short-term parking, however is all the time dangerous as a long-term resolution, particularly since vandals and thieves all the time 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/yr). Test this map for the stations closest to you (be affected person, it masses sluggish). 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 yr.
- The “abris vélo” appear to be large aluminum bins taking on two road parking locations that outdated six bikes (€75/yr). They’re nearly all the time full, however areas constantly 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/yr). They’ve shops to cost electrical bikes and even lockers to retailer your battery. To this point solely the one on the Gare de Lyon is open, you’ll be able to join one month, three months, or one yr by way of the Saemes web site (or immediately at their Méditerannée parking storage).
Bike Theft Precautions
Bikes have a method of disappearing shortly in Paris, even for those who suppose it isn’t “price something”. At all times, all the time, all the time lock your bike with the most effective lock (or locks) out there. When you’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. Think about 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 can assist 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 inform you.
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. When you’re staying in a lodge, do test to see if they’ve their very own bikes out there 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 Methods
Vélib
Vélib is Paris’ municipal bike-share system. There are literally thousands of common bikes and electrical bikes out there in docking stations everywhere in the metropolis and quick 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 experience, a 24-hour go, or a 3-day go from €3-€20 masking limitless use of the bikes in 30-minute increments (or 45 minutes for the e-bikes). Be sure you return the bike and decide 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. Word that for those who’re a US financial institution cardholder it’ll probably block a €300 deposit which you’ll get again after your subscription ends (assuming you returned the entire 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 few of the present ones are the inexperienced Lime bikes, the purple/blue Dott bikes, and the turquoise Tier bikes. They have an inclination to “disappear” as a result of they are often parked and picked up wherever. They normally are pay-as-you-go from an app it’s essential obtain in your smartphone, so there’s no dedication.
Quick Time period Bike Leases & Excursions
Guests can lease bikes by the hour, half-day, full-day and generally even every week. Leases normally require a photograph ID and safety deposit. Make sure you additionally lease a lock in case you need to cease someplace. Bikes “wander away” 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 every of my favourite bike tour firms in Paris. Expats Christian (from the US) and Paul (from New Zealand) began the corporate in 2005. You’ll be able to take one in every of their non-public or small group bike excursions of Paris, Versailles, or the Champagne area. You can too lease a motorcycle 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 ideal place to cease for a espresso and home made cake even for those who’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 lease 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 acquired 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 out there for all ages, and contains 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’ll be able to discover ways to restore your individual bike. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-1pm and 2pm-6:30pm (test 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 best ways to expertise the Parisian countryside with none trouble. Simply contact Bruce and he’ll handle all the pieces. 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) seeking to escape town. Learn my article about my very own expertise on his excursions “Bike Excursions of the Parisian Countryside”. You’ll be able to see the newest 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 experience 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. Word that children underneath 12 are required to put on helmets. The experience is canceled in case of rain. The final official experience was in December 2022, with some riders nonetheless assembly informally all through 2023; test again for any updates on their web site: http://www.parisrandovelo.fr/
Lengthy-Time period Bike Rental
Sick of all the time on the lookout for a Vélib that isn’t damaged? When you’d wish to lease a motorcycle of your individual for not 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 price for any leases lower than 6-months, and the long-term leases are cheaper). The good factor is that the subscription contains repairs or substitute 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 mild and enjoyable to experience round Paris.
Décathlon
“DRent” is the brand new month-to-month rental service from the huge sporting items chain retailer Décathlon out there 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 substitute in case of theft. You want proof of deal with (like an electrical invoice) to lease, and there’s a €15 sign-up price. NOTE: you’ll want to enroll by way of the native store, so search for the one in Paris closest to you and go in particular person.
Véligo
Véligo are electrical bikes that you would be able to lease 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 strive electrical bikes earlier than shopping for one. You’ll be able to pay just a little additional for a helmet, youngster seat or bike rack. To lease, you’ll want proof of residency within the Ile de France (and normally your employer will cowl 50% of the rental value).
Different Lengthy-Time period Bike Rental Firms
A few of the most up-to-date newcomers are Pink Will, who supply deluxe electrical bikes from €75/month (household bikes for €135), and Motto, which provides 4 totally different electrical bike fashions beginning at €69/month. They will each be canceled anytime, so it could be price testing each and protecting 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 provides some instructed 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 fastened, the way 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 by way of the Bois de Vincennes from 9:30am in entrance of the boutique (however the Maison is simply 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 using the bicycle as a day by day mode of journey, by way of the networking of native associations, session with public authorities, and normal public communication campaigns. All in French, however price following for those who’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 through Rouen, and La Véloscénie (“Le V40”) from Paris to the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel through 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 lease
Movies for Resident Riders in Paris
When you reside in Paris and cycle recurrently (or need to begin), don’t miss the superb movies by the native biking crusader, Altis Play. He’s change 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 are able to do higher. A few of his movies present him difficult drivers (coming at him down the bike lane!), declaring harmful intersections, and customarily advocating for everybody to be thoughtful of one another so we are able to all get to the place we’re going in a single piece. Right here’s an instance (this one is primarily “instructional”):
