Getting around by bike

To feel the wind on your face as you get around the city, isn’t that the beauty of cycling? Whatever the season, cycling has its advantages. But where can you park your bike? Which cycle paths should you take? What equipment should you take with you? Here we answer your questions…

All roads lead to Paris Region. With more than 1,000 km of cycle paths in Paris and around 6,000 km in Paris Region, it’s no wonder you’re tempted to explore by bike.

To find your bearings, get the guidebook entitled Paris à Vélo, le Bon Plan which features maps of the cycle path network and offers some handy tips. This guide is available at the town hall of each arrondissement, at the Maison du Vélo in the 4th arrondissement and from certain retailers* and bicycle repair workshops.

Check out the facilities and cycle paths on https://velo.smartidf.services/les-pistes-temporaires.

In addition, certain roads and districts are closed to traffic under the Paris Respire campaign, giving you more freedom to adopt this soft mobility approach. Find out more on the website https://www.paris.fr/pages/paris-respire-2122.

What about parking? Paris has no shortage of bicycle parking facilities. There are no less than 60,000 spaces across the city and even more in the wider Paris Region.

A number of safe solutions are available:
- The shelters located in certain streets can each accommodate up to six bicycles, have numbered spaces and are fitted with an air pump. They can be used with a yearly subscription.
- The bike stations not only provide parking for bicycles, E-bikes and cargo bikes, they also have charging terminals for detachable batteries. They can be used with a monthly or yearly subscription.
- Saemes provides spaces for bicycles in its car parks, as well as a bike station near the Gare de Lyon, E-bike charging terminals, burglar-proof lockers and accessory sales.
- The Wheelskeep app (https://wheelskeep.com/home), guarantees to find you a solution for safe, supervised bicycle parking, including temporary parking facilities during events and additional services such as bicycle pumps, bike wash and adjustment facilities.

Check out all bicycle parking solutions on https://www.paris.fr/pages/test-stationner-son-velo-7525.

You can also consult the website https://www.douzepointcinq.com/ to find safe bicycle parking facilities in the capital.

With Île-de-France Mobilités, you can choose from two types of parking solutions:
- Closed, safe bicycle parks available through a subscription. These facilities are sometimes equipped with a power supply for E-bikes, lockers and even tyre pumps.
- Freely accessible shelters fitted with bicycle racks. You don’t need a subscription to use these facilities which are free of charge.

To find out more, visit https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/le-reseau/services-de-mobilite/velo/parkings-velo.

In Paris Region, like anywhere else in France, the Highway Code determines which equipment is compulsory for cyclists. Compulsory equipment includes:
- Lights: It is mandatory to have a white or yellow front light and a red rear light. These must be switched on at night or when visibility is poor.
- Reflectors Your bike must be fitted with red reflectors at the rear, white reflectors at the front, and orange reflectors on the sides and on the pedals. These allow you to be seen from a distance of 150 metres.
- Audible warning device: Your bike must have a warning horn or bell that can be heard a minimum of 50 metres away.
- Brakes: Bikes must be fitted with braking systems in working order, on both the front and rear wheels.
- Helmets are compulsory for children under the age of 12 years whether riding the bike or travelling as a passenger. Helmets must be attached and must comply with current standards.

For maximum safety, it is also recommended, though not mandatory, to wear light-coloured clothing or additional reflector gear, especially at night or in bad weather.

The French Highway Code includes specific rules for cyclists to guarantee their safety and that of other road users. Here’s a summary of the main rights and obligations of cyclists.

• Direction of movement: Cyclists must stay on the road and travel in the same direction as motorised traffic, unless otherwise indicated (cycle paths in the opposite direction).
  
• Position on the road: When there are no specific cycle paths or lanes, cyclists must stay as close as possible to the right-hand side of the road.
  
• Cycle paths and cycle lanes: Cyclists are strongly recommended to use them. This is not compulsory, however, unless indicated by a round sign.
  

• Safety equipment: As previously mentioned, your bicycle must be fitted with lights, reflectors, an audible warning device and brakes that work properly. Helmets are compulsory for the under 12s.
  
• Forbidden behaviour: It is forbidden to cycle on the pavement (except for children under the age of 8 years), to use earphones, to hold a telephone while cycling, or to cycle under the influence of alcohol.
  

• Before changing direction or stopping, use hand signals to indicate your intention.
  
• Maintain a minimum distance of 1 metre between you and the nearest vehicle.
  
• Observe traffic lights and road signs, like other vehicles.
  

• Two-way cycle lanes: Where indicated, cyclists may take a one-way street in the opposite direction.
  
• Behaviour at traffic lights: In certain conditions and where indicated, cyclists may turn right or go straight on at a red light.
  
  

The above list of rules is non exhaustive but provides you with the Highway Code basics applicable to cyclists. It is crucial to observe these rules to ensure the road is shared without difficulty in the interest of the safety of all users.

Vélib’, an alternative way to explore the city. More than 1,400 bike stations with 20,000 bicycles and E-bikes are available in the Greater Paris metropolitan area. To get to grips with Vélib’ in Paris, your first step is to find a Vélib’ station where bikes are available. Fortunately, the city benefits from excellent coverage with a bike station every 300 metres or so. So finding a bike is generally quite easy, no matter where you happen to be in the city or the surrounding region.

There are different ways of renting a Vélib’ bike. The easiest and most popular method is with a Vélib’ card or a Navigo Pass. Alternatively, you can use your smartphone or tap in your user ID on the handy device fitted to the handlebars.

Bike rental shops are popping up all over the City of Light and in the surrounding area. From the Ourcq canal to Fontainebleau, you’ll find bikes of every kind: E-bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, tandems and more.

• Chez Blow Cycles, you can rent out E-bikes suitable for the forest terrain.
  
• For a bike ride along the Parisian canals, the association AICV has various types of bicycle, including city bikes, hybrid bikes, children’s bikes, tandems and even bikes for the disabled.
  
• With Vélos Vagabonds, you might choose to rent or even purchase a bike that can tackle the trails of Paris Region.
  
• At Bikool, they specialise in E-bikes. Between mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and city bikes, you’ll find just the solution for you.
  
• In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Cyclou 78 has bicycles for the whole family. They’re open from March to October.
  
• Paulette Bike also has mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, E-bikes, tandems and children’s bikes, so ****just take your pick. You can even add a bike trailer to carry young children. Not forgetting helmets.
  

Are you visiting the area and fancy exploring Paris Region by bike? The practical information given above will come in handy, but you have other options as well.

For even more fun, why not join a guided bike tour? Paris Bike Tour organises guided bike rides in the city with professional guides who speak several languages. The itineraries take you exploring the different districts and iconic sights. Various solutions are available: E-bike tours, bike rides with museum visits and even private night-time tours. And to take things further, excursions are organised to Versailles, Vincennes or Giverny and there’s even a 4-day tour to visit Chartres. For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, you can simply rent a bike.

Fat Tire Tours also offer an original way to visit Paris, Versailles and Giverny with guided bike, Segway and walking tours. The appeal of these tours lies in the photo spots recommended at each site and all the fun facts provided, mainly in English. The tours cover main attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, with options for private tours in other languages and workshops that focus on various French traditions.

If your leg muscles are itching to pedal across Paris and the surrounding area, but you don’t fancy working out your own route, then try one of the multiple agencies offering ready-made excursions. Just grab your helmet, jump on your bike and off you go for an epic adventure. Vél’OFIL du Vexin organises E-bike sightseeing tours across the Vexin regional nature park. Choose from various themes to explore the park at your own pace with all the equipment you need to keep you safe during your adventure. For a family getaway, there are bikes suitable for children as well as child seats and trailers.