Vélo Hommes - Cycling Chaps in Paris

Gentlemen cyclists in Paris. Moi outside Sacre Coeur. Photo by Wifealiciousness.

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Comments

sindändùne says:

très chic!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

KennethMoyle says:

I've never seen a bike quite like these. What were they like to ride? It must have taken some effort to overcome the inertia of those giant rear fenders.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Susana Molinolo says:

great bikes + panorama!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

they are a dream to ride. effortless and easy. three gears.

my wife and i climbed up the steep cobblestone streets to Sacre Coeur without much of a problem.

We borrowed about 12-14 bikes in the course of the two days. Only one was a bit wonky but i changed it for another one at one of the bike racks.

basically you can give people 20,000 bikes but if they're crap, nobody will ride them. this design has been sold to many of the 60 cities with bike share programmes around Europe because it is so well-made.

copenhagenize.com - more on the Velib bikes.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Montreal cykler says:

I hope the new Montreal bike share project gonna have the same impact. The city give the contract to Michel Dallaire for the design.

www.dallairedesign.com
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

Evanickelbridger says:

I have been reading your blog, and I'm impressed! I liked your posts on the Velib, which I used extensively during my studies in Paris last year. I believe the Velib system is a great idea, sparking off something great in Paris: a cycling revolution.

However it has its down sides - vandalism in some areas (even in the city centre) is rife, and often one finds not a single usable bike in the station. I have read stories in local newspapers of people taking the bikes and cycling down the steps of le Sacre Coeur - I feel sorry for the next users! I think that is a possible explanation for locals buying their own bikes, but for tourists, students, and convenience, the Velib system is perfect.

As for the bike design, I found the headset very heavy (expected if stealing is to be discouraged), but the bike is built like a tank, and is very capable if in good condition.

My lasting memory of Paris will be velibing along the banks of the Seine at 3 in the morning with a friend.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

[Zakkalicious / Mikael] says:

thanks.
the positive aspects far outweigh the negative ones that JC Decaux have tried to hype in order to get more money out of their next contract.

paris has less pollution, the health benefits are massive and 2 million private bicycles have been sold to parisians since velib started.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

KennethMoyle says:

I tried the similar-looking Bixi public bikes in Montreal last month ... riding it was not only a bit dreamy but also a revelation.

The bikes are three speed, upright and soft. Going fast was not an option and didn't even seem necessary. I biked across the city in 25 minutes (downtown to the Olympic stadium), mostly in curbed bike lanes, on a sunny afternoon and hardly broke a sweat.

I'm now looking at replacing my hybrid commuter bike with a heavy upright three speed ... because I just can't go slowly while perched on my little saddle, hunched over the handle bars, with 21 gradations of gearing available.

I never knew lack of freedom could be so liberating.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

[Zakkalicious / Mikael] says:

brilliant to hear your take on bixi and your application to the 'normal' club... :-)
here's some bikes to consider:
www.copenhagencyclechic.com/2009/04/gentlemen -prefer-bicy...
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Canon PowerShot G9.
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Taken on May 10, 2008
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Vélo Hommes - Cycling Chaps in Paris

Comments

sindändùne says:

KennethMoyle says:

Susana Molinolo says:

[Zakkalicious / Mikael] says:

Montreal cykler says:

Evanickelbridger says:

[Zakkalicious / Mikael] says:

KennethMoyle says:

[Zakkalicious / Mikael] says:

Would you like to comment?

[Zakkalicious / Mikael]'s photostream

[Bicycles: Paris Cycle Chic] (Set)

[Copenhagenizing Paris] (Set)

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