In the 1870s Paris became one of the first cities in the world to adopt street lighting. This, combined with its historical reputation of being a centre of learning and knowledge, earned it the title "The City of Light". Soon, however, the city may accept a new title - denoting a move to reduce congestion, simultaneously reducing the great city's carbon footprint and improving quality of life for its residents.

On July 15, the day after Bastille Day, Parisians will wake up to discover thousands of low-cost rental bikes at hundreds of high-tech bicycle stations scattered throughout the city, an ambitious program to cut traffic, reduce pollution, improve parking and enhance the city's image as a greener, quieter, more relaxed place.

By the end of the year, organizers and city officials say, there should be 20,600 bikes at 1,450 stations -- or about one station every 250 yards across the entire city. Based on experience elsewhere -- particularly in Lyon, France's third-largest city, which launched a similar system two years ago -- regular users of the bikes will ride them almost for free.

"It has completely transformed the landscape of Lyon -- everywhere you see people on the bikes," said Jean-Louis Touraine, the city's deputy mayor. The program was meant "not just to modify the equilibrium between the modes of transportation and reduce air pollution, but also to modify the image of the city and to have a city where humans occupy a larger space."

The Socialist mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delano, has the same aim, said his aide, Jean-Luc Dumesnil: "We think it could change Paris's image -- make it quieter, less polluted, with a nicer atmosphere, a better way of life."

But there is a practical side, too, Dumesnil said. A recent study analyzed different trips in the city "with a car, bike, taxi and walking, and the bikes were always the fastest." - Washington Post

Community bicycle programs are not new, although these latest high-tech efforts in Lyon and Paris may overcome issues of damage and theft that have plagued other attempts.

Community bicycle programs struggle against theft and vandalism. In one program tried in 1993 in Cambridge, United Kingdom, all 300 bicycles were stolen on the first day of operation, and the program was abandoned. - Wikipedia

The French programs use a computerised system, with individual users holding electronic cards. You use your assigned card to remove a bike from its rack, and to subsequently place it at the next station.

The scheme won't be without its teething problems - some have complained they've been unable to return their bike to their desired station, as some spots are more popular at certain times than others, and they find no empty racks available. Since the central computer system is able to monitor how many bikes are at each specific station, there are plans to have trucks on call to move excess bikes to stations that need them.

The name "The City of Bikes" might not have the same ring to it - bicycle bells have a distinctive sound of their own - but it's certainly worthy of praise, and emulation. Bicycle shop owners may not be so impressed with the scheme, but others will breathe easier.

It's ironic that Paris is moving towards bicycles, while Beijing residents are eager to 'upgrade'.

 

Further Watching:

• Watch a BBC video here.
• Velo Ville - Lyon's Bike Project