Nowadays, biking in Paris has never been so trendy. In this article, we will see how to rent a bike in Paris.
🚲 How to Rent a Bike in Paris
Velib’ Bikes (⚙️ Mechanical in green / ⚡️ Electric in blue)
Lime Bike
Dott Bike
TIER Bike
Véligo Bike
Véligo Biporteur
Véligo Triporteur
Véligo Rallonge
It has never been so easy and convenient to rent a bike in Paris. I will now show you bike-rental services based on the answer you select. Let’s go!
⚙️⚡️
🛒 https://www.velib-metropole.fr/
💰 From 5€/24h, 37.20€/year
🤑 The cheapest bike-sharing in Paris
ℹ️ Information
Velib’ Bikes (⚙️ Mechanical in green / ⚡️ Electric in blue)
Velib’ is the Paris city bike. It is the cheapest way to rent a bike in Paris. There are two types of bike available:
- ⚙️ Mechanical bikes (in green)
- ⚡️ Electric bikes (in blue with an electric plug drawn in the rear wheel)
You will be able to find some bikes in good shape and well-maintained. However, you will also find bikes with issues (flat tyres, used brakes, gear issues, or unavailable bikes).
💡 The bike user ratings are available in the Velib’ app.
After each ride, you will also be able to rate the last bike you rode and signal an issue in case of a bad rating applied.
💰 Price
| Single ride 45-min ride in ⚡️/⚙️ | 3€/ride |
| 24h pass – classic ⚙️ Unlimited 30-min rides | 5€/24h |
| 24h pass – electric ⚙️ Unlimited 60-min rides ⚡️ 5x 45-min rides (then 2€/ride) | 10€/24h |
| 3-day pass ⚙️ Unlimited 60-min rides ⚡️ 5x 45-min rides (then 2€/ride) | 20€/72h |
| 1-year pass (V-Plus) ⚙️ Unlimited 30-min rides ⚡️ 2€/45-min ride | 37.20€/year |
| 1-year pass (V-Max) ⚙️ Unlimited 60-min rides ⚡️ 2x 45-min rides/day (then 2€/ride) | 99.60€/year |
| 1-year pay-as-you-go pass | ⚙️ 1€/60-min ride ⚡️ 3€/45-min ride |
⚙️ +1€/30 min
⚡️ +2€/30 min
🛒 How to Rent
📂 What you need to have:
- 💳 credit card
You can subscribe to Velib:
- 🌐 online (more convenient)
- 🚏 Velib’ docking station
⚠️ Velib‘ is not included in any Paris public transportation pass loaded into a Navigo card.
If you subscribe to a pass, you will need to link a dedicated Velib’ card (that will be sent to you) or a Navigo card in order to unlock bikes.
Finally, after the subscription, you can manage your account with a mobile application:
🅿️ Where to Find and Park
Paris Velib’ Stations
The bikes can be found in the Velib’ dock stations, which are located in Paris and its suburbs. You will need to park the Velib there exclusively as well.
⚠️ The Velib’ stations can be quite full in the city centre during the day.
On the opposite, the stations are usually empty beyond the city centre, or in locations which are on top of the hill during the day.
💡 Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks about using the Velib’:
- When you unlock your bike: the bike can sometimes be blocked in the dock even if it is written that the bike is released. Usually, you should retry to unlock the same bike, and sometimes it unlocks on the second try.
- When you dock your bike: you should wait to see “STOP” displayed on the screen. If you don’t see it, I would advise you to wait for it, and try to move the bike up and down so the contact point between your bike and the dock touch in a better way. You have to do that until you see “STOP” written, otherwise, the clock will still run and you will have to pay extra fees.
🌐 Website
⚡️ 
💰 From 1€ + 0.25€/min
🏎️ Fast bike, convenient to rent
💡 Booking also available with the 
app
ℹ️ Information
Lime Bike
Lime is a US company that is an official mobility provider in Paris for:
- 🚲 Electric bike
- 🛴 Electric scooter
🛴 Lime electric scooters won’t be available for rent in Paris anymore starting September 2023.
Their electric bikes are lightning-fast, compared to Velib’ electric bikes.
The bikes are easy to unlock thanks to the mobile application.
💰 Price
| 1 ride Ride with 🚲 only | 1€ unlocking fee + 0.25€/min |
| 1 ride Ride with 🛴 only | 1€ unlocking fee + 0.26€/min |
| Lime Prime 0€ unlocking fee on every ride with 🚲 / 🛴 | 5.99€/month 🤑 Cheaper than 6 occasional rides |
| 60-minute pass Unlimited rides with 🚲 / 🛴 | 7.99€/3 days 🤑 0.13€/min |
| 100-minute pass Unlimited rides with 🚲 / 🛴 | 12.99€/3 days 🤑 0.13€/min |
| 240-minute pass Unlimited rides with 🚲 / 🛴 | 29.99€/3 days 🤑 0.13€/min |
| 300-minute pass Unlimited rides with 🚲 / 🛴 | 39.99€/30 days 🤑 0.13€/min |
🛒 How to Rent
You can rent a Lime bike with the mobile application:
💡 You will also be able to book your Lime bike with the app.
🅿️ Where to Find and Park
Lime bikes can be found and parked in dedicated areas. You will be able to find them with the mobile application.
🌐 Website
⚡️ 
💰 From 1€ + 0.25€/min
😌 Fast bike, convenient to rent
💡 Booking also available with the 
app
ℹ️ Information
Dott Bike
Dott is a French-Dutch company that is an official mobility provider in Paris for:
- 🚲 Electric bike
- 🛴 Electric scooter
🛴 Dott electric scooters won’t be available for rent in Paris anymore starting September 2023.
Their electric bikes are lightning-fast, compared to Velib’ electric bikes.
The bikes are easy to unlock thanks to the mobile application.
💰 Price
| 1 ride 1 ride with 🚲 / 🛴 | 1€ unlocking fee + 0.25€/min |
| 3-month no unlocking fee 0€ unlocking fee on every ride with 🚲 / 🛴 | 1.99€/3 months 🤑 Cheaper than 2 occasional rides |
| 2-ride pass 2 rides of 30 min with 🚲 / 🛴 | 3.49€/day |
| 10-ride pass 10 rides of 30 min with 🚲 / 🛴 | 9.99€/day |
| 30-ride pass 30 rides of 30 min with 🚲 / 🛴 | 29.99€/month |
🛒 How to Rent
You can rent a Dott bike with the mobile application:
💡 You will also be able to book your Dott bike with the app.
🅿️ Where to Find and Park
Dott bikes can be found and parked in dedicated areas. You will be able to find them with the mobile application.
🌐 Website
⚡️
💰 From 1€ + 0.25€/min
😌 Fast bike, convenient to rent
💡 Booking also available with the app
ℹ️ Information
TIER Bike
TIER is a German company that is an official mobility provider in Paris for:
- 🚲 Electric bike
- 🛴 Electric scooter
🛴 TIER electric scooters won’t be available for rent in Paris anymore starting September 2023.
Their electric bikes are lightning-fast, compared to Velib’ electric bikes.
The bikes are easy to unlock thanks to the mobile application.
💰 Price
| 1 ride 1 ride with 🚲 / 🛴 | 1€ unlocking fee + 0.25€/min |
| 1-month no unlocking fee 0€ unlocking fee on every ride with 🚲 / 🛴 | 3.99€/30 days 🤑 Cheaper than 4 occasional rides |
| 20-minute pass 2 rides with 🚲 / 🛴 | 3.99€/day 🤑 0.20€/min |
| 60-minute pass Unlimited rides with 🚲 / 🛴 | 9.99€/day 🤑 0.17€/min |
| 300-minute pass Unlimited rides with 🚲 / 🛴 | 35.99€/30 days 🤑 0.12€/min |
🛒 How to Rent
You can rent a TIER bike with the mobile application:
💡 You will also be able to book your TIER bike with the app.
🅿️ Where to Find and Park
TIER bikes can be found and parked in dedicated areas. You will be able to find them with the mobile application.
🌐 Website
Bike rental shops ⚙️⚡️
🛒 Bike rental shops in Paris
📆 Rent a bike for a few days
⚠️ Thefts can steal your bike if not locked
ℹ️ Information
Bike Rental Shop in Paris
If you need a bike for a few hours or a few days non-stop, renting a bike directly from a bike rental shop might be the best option for you. However, you will have to make sure that the rental shop provides you with a U-lock to secure your bike because the bikes with a weak lock are stolen frequently in Paris.
🛒 How to Rent
You can rent a bike from a bike rental shop in Paris.
You might need an ID card or money as a caution.
🅿️ Where to Park
In Paris, you will be able to park your bike on a dedicated bike parking on the streets:
Unfortunately, bikes are stolen frequently in Paris. It is mandatory that you lock your bike, otherwise, be sure to not retrieve your bike when you are back. I will strongly advise you to use a U-lock to lock your bike.
⚠️ Check that the metal bar in the bike parking is settled into the ground! Sometimes, it is not settled well, so the thefts can lift the bar and steal the locked bike easily.
⚡️
🛒 https://www.veligo-location.fr/
💰 From 40€/month
⚠️ For Paris inhabitants only
🤑 Try an electric bike for up to 9 months for cheap
ℹ️ Information
Véligo Bike
Véligo Biporteur
Véligo Triporteur
Véligo Rallonge
Véligo Location is an electric bike rental service offered by the Paris region to its inhabitants who can rent and try it for 6 months maximum an electric bike for a very good price. If you are hesitant about buying an electric bike, this offer is perfect for you!
Véligo Location offers:
- Electric bike
- Extended version of the electric bike
- Three-wheeler
- Two-wheeler
💰 Price
Véligo Bike
Véligo Biporteur
Véligo Triporteur
Véligo Rallonge
| Classic Véligo Rent for 6 months up to 9 months | 40€/month |
| Three-wheeler Rent for 1 month up to 3 months | 80€/month |
| Two-wheeler Rent for 1 month up to 3 months | 80€/month |
| Extended version Rent for 1 month up to 3 months | 80€/month |
🛒 How to Rent
📂 What you need to have:
- 🪪 ID document (Identity card, passport, or resident’s card)
- 🏠 proof of residence (electricity bill, internet bill, etc.)
- 🏦 EU IBAN
- 🎓 proof of status (for a reduced rate if applicable)
You can subscribe to Veligo Location:
- 🌐 online
🅿️ Where to Park
In Paris, you will be able to park your bike on a dedicated bike parking on the streets:
Unfortunately, bikes are stolen frequently in Paris. It is mandatory that you lock your bike, otherwise, be sure to not retrieve your bike when you are back. I will strongly advise you to use a U-lock to lock your bike.
⚠️ Check that the metal bar in the bike parking is settled into the ground! Sometimes, it is not settled well, so the thefts can lift the bar and steal the locked bike easily.
🌐 Website
📱 The Best Mobile Application to Check Available Bikes
🔎 Check the bikes available around you from all the bike-sharing providers
ℹ️ Information
Map Overview
Map With All The Bikes Around
Itinerary By Bike
With Citymapper, you will be able to see the available bikes to rent around you from all the bike-sharing providers in the same app. You will be able to see:
- 🚏 Number of bikes available in the Velib’ dock station
- 🚲 Types of bike
- 🔋 Battery level (if it is an electric bike)
It is definitely a must-have application, to avoid switching between multiple bike-sharing apps and book a bike faster.
💡 If you use exclusively the Velib’, I would advise you to use the Velib’ app instead because you can see the rating of each bike applied by the users.
You will also be able to use this app to compare the other mobility services offered in the city.
🛤 Mobility Tracked
- 🚇 Metro
- 🚊 RER
- 🚊 Transilien
- 🚌 Bus
- 🚋 Tramway
- 🚲 Bike
- 🛴 Scooter
- 🛵 Moped
- 🚕 Rideshare
- 🚙 Carshare
🌐 Website
Conclusion
To know more about biking in Paris, or how to get around Paris with other modes of transportation, you can check these articles:
