(Image) A scene at a "Velib" free-use bicycle station in Paris. This summer, Paris will enter a new era of urban transportation. From Sunday, July 15th, Paris becomes a major European cycling city, rivalling the famous cycling hub of Amsterdam. This follows other European cities such as Vienna, Barcelona, Geneva, Stockholm, Oslo, and Lyon (which started in 2005), where municipalities provide bicycle rentals. Under the current emphasis on environmental protection in cities, this not only saves energy but also improves urban traffic and air quality. Starting Sunday, there are 750 "Velib" stations distributed throughout Paris, housing 10,648 grey bicycles for use by all Parisians and tourists worldwide. The Mayor of Paris described the name "Velib" as an abbreviation of "velo" (bicycle) and "liberte" (freedom), hoping to provide better air for those who love Paris, along with more innovation and greater freedom of movement in the city.

The "Velib" free-use bicycles are available 24 hours a day, allowing users to pick up a bike at any station and return it to any other station. By July 19th, over 20,000 citizens had rented annual passes, which are quite economical at 29 Euros per year, 5 Euros per week, or 1 Euro per day. Delays of half an hour incur a fine of 1 Euro, accumulating thereafter; rides under half an hour are free, aiming to encourage all Parisians to use bicycles for transport. The city hopes to reach 200,000 subscribers for annual "Velib" passes by year-end, at which point the number of stations will increase to 1,451 and bicycles to 20,600. The Paris municipal government hopes that bicycles will become an indispensable landscape and convenient mode of transport in the city.

A tourist couple from Lyon said during an interview, "Look, this will change your city. Even business people will abandon their cars. Look at your bicycles; they are much more beautiful than ours, especially with the red pedals." It is imaginable that "Velib" bicycles will profoundly change the city of Paris. These bicycles in Paris await your arrival and use.