JO 2024: Over 20,000 Vélibs deployed in Paris this summer

undefined 25 juillet 2024 undefined 15h04

The Editor

© Patryk Kosmider / Shutterstock

For the past few months, we all know that transportation in Paris has been a mess. Expensive tickets, closed stops, inaccessible streets, endless traffic jams... In short, there's only one solution that really makes sense: biking. And for this occasion, the Vélib' group has gone all out, adding more stations and especially more bicycles. So, will they succeed in winning gold in terms of transportation?

A few years back, the Olympic committee promised us free and easily accessible transportation for all during the games. However, it seems like things have changed. But fear not, because there's one promise that will definitely be kept - these Games will be the ones of the bicycle! With over 400 km of cycling paths linking all the competition venues near Paris, and giant bicycle parking lots, the city could soon become a cyclist's paradise. And as if that wasn't enough, there will be hundreds of bikes available for rent. So get ready to pedal your way around the city during the Olympics! 🚲🌟


Pop-up Bike Stations Everywhere

Leading the pack of these services is Vélib'Métropole, which boasts no less than 14 new giant stations, spread out over 10 different test sites in and around the capital. In total, there are more than 3,600 new spots for cycling enthusiasts, who can avoid (a little) the madness of public transportation thanks to the famous green and blue bikes.

These new pop-up stations, managed by agents specially deployed for the occasion, will be open from 2 hours before the various events, and until 2 hours after. These are parking spots a little out of the ordinary because, unlike the ones you find on every street corner in the capital, they are not limited. On site, the agents mentioned earlier will therefore be responsible for ensuring arrivals and departures as best as possible.


Hundreds of bicycles

In addition to these new stations, many new bicycles have been made available to users in recent months, increasing the total number of two-wheelers to almost 20,000 (with almost 40% being electric). That's more than 4,000 than last October. To top it off, some of these new vehicles are equipped with new puncture-proof tires, which should reduce the issues with faulty bikes experienced in recent years by the platform.

And as good news never comes alone, Vélib' has reminded its regular users (416,000 annual subscribers in 2024), as well as tourists, that, unlike the RATP, the prices for rides and subscriptions will not change this summer.

Great news, unlike other bike-sharing services, they have decided not to apply. Indeed, while 5,000 new Lime bikes have appeared on the streets of Paris, the price of trips has also significantly increased.The Summer of Biking And for those of you who swear by your personal bike, don't worry, the City of Paris hasn't forgotten about you. A number of parking spots have also been planned for you, with the establishment of 10 new parking locations, totaling more than 4,500 spots, near the competition venues (including 1,000 around the Stade de France). The same goes for the installation of a new giant parking lot at the Gare du Nord. Faced with all these elements, it is impossible not to consider summer 2024 as the summer of biking. The numerous initiatives put in place, always in collaboration with the City of Paris, will hopefully ensure the success of these "100% bikeable" Games, and allow all Parisians to come away with a well-deserved gold medal after having cycled through the different districts of the capital.

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