Ooh la la – even better on your own velo [Photo by Grufnik/Flickr]
It’s nearly summer in Europe – Londoners are cracking smiles, Parisians are putting extra ooh into their bonjours, Barcelonans are back on the boardwalk, Berliners are baring their baps und wursts and the fashionable Milanese, well, their sunglasses never came off, but they’ve shed their furs. Each of these fab five also has a simple bike-sharing public transport program that’s affordable, hassle free and as easy as, um, riding a bike. Simply buy a subscription, choose your bike and off you go. When you’re done, just return your pedals to any of the stands conveniently scattered around the city. It’s easy, eco-friendly, butt-firming, hair-ruining fun, with some sightseeing thrown in, so pop on your matador pants and go.
Butt firming cyclos [Photo by ktylerconk/Flickr]
What better way to explore ravishing Ville Lumiére and all the beauty she has to offer than on your very own two-wheeled looker. After subscribing, the first 30 mins is free and with 371km of cycle lanes, a bike station every 300 meters and 24-hour service, you can pedal your way from a culture session at the Louvre to shopping at Marais as easily as you can say au revoir, mon chéri!
The city of Alfa Romeos, risotto and Giorgio is as modish as it gets but with its impossible to hail cabs, almost zero parking, and stiletto-destroying cobbled streets, cycling around compact Centro Milano is a choice option. Register online, subscribe and take advantage of over 1400 bikes and 100 stations within 300 meters from each other, plus the first 30 mins is free.
The 'wheel' view of Milan
From hip & happening Mitte to gleaming Potsdamer Platz and genteel Charlottenburg, Berlin has bike paths everywhere, and trains are bike friendly, making it ideal for discovering the city’s cool and laid back vibe while toning your tush. Stands are located throughout the city, and bikes are only 1 euro per hour, 5 euros for 24 hours, but you’ll need a phone to access a code to unlock a bike. Be warned though, those Berliners can get tetchy should you stray in their way, so look out.
Those tricky Catalans have rigged Bicing for the benefit of residents only, but if you’re staying a while and know how to work it, you too can make use of its 6000 bikes and 400+ stations. Register at least 10 days ahead on their website (in Catalan and Spanish only) and provide a local mailing address (this is where a rental apartment may come in handy) and you’re set for a cost-effective way to cruise Barcelona’s magnificent streets and atmospheric winding laneways.
Pedal, petal
London – Barclays Cycle Hire (to launch July 30, 2010)
London is one huge cash removal zone, cabs cost as much as air tickets and the tube is overcrowded and overpriced. But wait (and you’ll have to), relief is on its way. Come July 30, public bikes hit the capital, yay! With 400 docking stations around central London and prices starting at just £1, you can scoot with ease from one fantastic, and FREE cultural institution, like the British Museum, to another, like the V&A. Pip, pip to that!
Remember, with the exception of Berlin, these are short-jaunt public transport alternatives and you’ll be penalised for extended use, but they sure as hell beat traffic and hot, smelly subways. Time to get your leg over, Clover…
Paris. Vélib’. W: velib.paris.fr
Milan. BikeMi. W: bikemi.com
Berlin. Next Bike. W: nextbike.de
Barcelona. Bicing. W: bicing.cat
London. Barclays Cycle Hire. W: tfl.gov.uk
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