Valérie Pécresse wants to convert Parisians to electric bikes

Carpooling, carsharing, smart vehicles or scooters … the transport revolution continues in Île-de-France. To circulate in the region and in the city, the inhabitants have been developing a certain interest in cycling for some years now, even though it represents only 1.6% of the daily journeys of Ile-de-France residents.

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To meet the ecological challenges, Ile-de-France Mobilités has decided to invest in modes of transport contributing to the so-called "soft" traffic, and will offer from September 2019 electric bikes for long-term rental. Following a call for tenders launched in 2017 by Ile-de-France Mobilités, the consortium La Poste, Transdev, Velogik and Cyclez was appointed Thursday to set up this new public service, called "Véligo rent. "

40 euros per month, for a maximum of six months

A flamboyant blue, this new two-wheel electric will be offered in long-term rental service – six months – for a fee of 40 euros monthly. This time limit has been set to ensure that up to 190,000 people in the region can benefit during the six-year contract. At first, more than 10,000 bicycles will be available throughout the Ile de France, but the park could reach up to 20,000 models if demand increases.

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Like the Navigo card, the monthly subscription can be paid 50% by the employer, even if it already reimburses half of it. Bike maintenance is included in the subscription. For the president of the Île-de-France Region Valérie Pécresse, "the mobility of tomorrow will be multiple" and Île-de-France Mobilités must "ensure that it develops harmoniously in the service of travelers". The Île-de-France region will provide users with parking spaces in the Véligo areas as well as a secure shelter service available at the train stations in the region.

The "Véligo" is stored at home

Increasingly popular, the electric bike provides badistance to the cyclist on journeys of the order of 9 kilometers, thus minimizing physical effort. This electric bike does not position itself as a competitor of the Vélib ', but rather as a complementary service. Unlike the Velib kiosks, the future tenants of these electric bicycles will be able to store the "Véligo" at home.

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While much of the travel in Île-de-France is short trips often between 5 and 15 km, this delegation of public service aims to encourage the inhabitants of the region to include the electric bike in their daily trips. With a particular focus on commuting from home to work, the region wants to encourage Parisians who use public transport not to take the car to get to their departure station. With a variable budget of between 61.7 million and 111 million euros, the "Véligo Location" service will represent the largest long-term rental service of electric bikes available worldwide.

Very expensive to buy, the electric bike requires a budget for the individual, ranging from 1500 to 2000 euros for the highest rates. In 2017, it accounted for only 9% of total bicycle sales. While the government wants to push the French to do more cycling, the electric option seems to have good days ahead. It remains to be seen whether the new service will meet the needs of Parisians.