If you want to see as much of the city as possible when you arrive on your flights to Paris, one of the best ways to get around is to ride a bicycle. Renting a car is not a good idea in the city because traffic is very dense and you will find it difficult to locate parking. However, the city is very large and sometimes walking on foot between all of the attractions can leave you with very sore legs by the end of the day. In order to explore as much of Paris as possible, renting a bicycle is an efficient, cheap, and fun option.
You will notice when you arrive on your flights to Paris that this city is a very cycling-friendly place. The French are very aware and cautious of cyclists on the roads, and the city has many safe bike lanes. There is a bike network which has over 150 km of safe cycling lanes for you to explore.
Here are some tips to help you if you plan on exploring Paris by bicycle:
· Make sure that you bring a map with you, because the streets of Paris can be somewhat labyrinthine. You can find an excellent map of the bike network at the Information Centre at the Hotel de Ville (City Hall).
· The Velib program allows you to rent a bike for a very cheap price. You will see the bike stations all over the city, usually near major landmarks or metro stations. You can get a bike for 1.70 Euro per day or 8 Euro per week by swiping your credit card. The first 30 minutes are free, so if you are just going from one station to the next you won’t have to pay more. After that, you are charged two euro for the second 30 minutes and four for each half hour after that. This is because the idea is to keep stopping and changing over bikes at each station, which are only 30- metres apart. The bikes are comfortable and have a front basket where you can carry your purse or bag.
· Another great way to explore Paris by bike is to take a bike tour! Fat Tire Bike Tours offer a fantastic tour of the city with a fun and entertaining guide, and also offer bike trips to Versailles and Monet’s Gardens. You can also hire bikes from them at a rate of four euro per hour, 25 per day or 100 per week.
Enjoy exploring this beautiful city on two wheels once you arrive on your flights to Paris!
Riding a bicycle through the streets is a fun and cheap way to explore the city of Paris, France. If you have booked flights Paris for your next holiday, here are some cycling tips.