The Velib bike rental service has been in Paris for a couple of years now. But, it’s not the only one anymore. There’s a private company called Gobee Bike. It’s a little easier to use from the get-go and you don’t need to register or have 150 Euro locked on your account as security. The bikes aren’t slotted into racks like the Velib ones, they are unlocked by photographic a QR code with the app on your phone. You also pay for it with the app, and you can then basically go anywhere and get charged per 30 minutes of use.
When you want to get somewhere, the app will tell you where the closest bike is, which I assume is possible due to a GPS tracker that’s built into the bike’s frame, but where or how that works will need a further technical analysis.
The bikes are new, look well built and I enjoy the way technology has made commuting and getting around the city easier and more accessible. However, launching as the winter starts isn’t something I’d recommend, but let’s see, something new usually takes a while before it gains traction.
You can check out the website and download the app from there by following this link.
Lights of the City 