Why is it that almost every time I read a US publication article on Paris, I find it rife with mistakes, lies and fabrications? Eric Rainman's (oops, Rayman) latest on the Vélib bicycle rental craze in Paris comports some important, fatal errors.
NO Vélib stations currently have the card "swipe" he claims using. What they have is a slot for credit card with smart chip only. Swipes WILL be installed soon, but haven't been yet, making this dubious ...
Vélibs were developed initially for the Parisian market not tourists...
The vast majority of American tourists will NOT be able to Vélib anytime soon...
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/travel/14Journeys.html?ex=1350014400&en=67aa2906d6fcb413&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
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4 comments:
Hello, Adrian-
I'm interested in your comment about Amis not using Velib any time soon. I'm coming over there tomorrow, and was planning to swipe/insert/whatever my card (which has a 'puce') to get one - Why do you say we won't be using them?
Curious Bart
Well, if you have a puce, there should be no problem. But it seems as if 99% of US cards don't have this. Good biking!
After trying to get a Visa or MC with a chip in it so we could use a Velib, we finally gave up trying. Then someone turned us on to this little tidbit. American Express cards work!
That said, you an American might prefer to take a Fat Tire bike tour (all in English) to gain some experience biking the streets of Paris.
Thanks Adrian for setting the record straight.
Thanks for the comment Ken. I live in Paris, so I have a Navigo travel pass that allows me to use both public transportation as well as the Vélib system. I also have my own bike, so don't need Fat Bike Tours! I noticed you hail from Exeter! I grew up in Kingston......
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