Cycling in Paris: Vélib', long-term bike rental, rules and safety

Vélib' Métropole offers mechanical (green) and electric (blue) bikes from stations across Paris and many neighbouring towns. You sign up online or in the app and unlock bikes at the stations.

Plans changed in August 2025. As reported by France 3 at the time:

• V-Libre: no monthly fee, a one-off registration fee and pay-per-ride; suitable for occasional use.
• V-Plus: €4.30 per month, with free mechanical rides up to 30 minutes and paid electric rides.
• V-Max: a higher monthly fee with longer free mechanical rides and reduced electric-bike prices.

Day and multi-day passes exist for visitors. Check the current prices and conditions on the official Vélib' site before subscribing, as they can change.

Véligo Location is the long-term bike rental service of Île-de-France Mobilités, the regional transport authority. Since January 2026 it has been run by a new operator, and the range has grown to 19 models from €10 a month, including e-bikes, mechanical, cargo and adapted bikes. According to a May 2026 report, a standard e-bike costs about €44 per month, with contracts from 3 to 12 months depending on the model, preventive maintenance included, and reduced prices for some groups such as students and jobseekers. It is open to people who live, work or study in Île-de-France. Your employer reimburses at least half of the subscription for commuting, under the same rule as for the Navigo pass.

• New bikes, and used bikes sold by professionals, must be marked with a unique identifier registered in a national database since 2021 (children's bikes excepted). Keep the marking certificate; it helps recover a stolen bike. When buying second-hand from a private seller, ask whether the bike is marked and get the ownership transfer.
• Purchase aids exist: Île-de-France Mobilités and the City of Paris have offered subsidies for e-bikes, cargo bikes and other models, with conditions and amounts that change. Check the IDFM and paris.fr pages for the current scheme before you buy.
• Repair workshops, including self-repair workshops run by associations, are listed on paris.fr.

• Pavements are off-limits to cyclists, except children under 8 and places with specific markings. Fine: €135.
• Bike lanes are compulsory only where a round blue sign marks them; square blue signs are a recommendation. Speed pedelecs (assistance up to 45 km/h) count as mopeds and may not use bike lanes.
• Red lights: you must stop, unless a small M12 sign under the light allows cyclists to continue in the direction it shows while giving way, in particular to pedestrians, who always have priority.
• Pedestrian crossings: dismount to use them.
• Headphones, earphones and holding a phone while riding are forbidden. Fine: €135. Cyclists do not lose licence points.
• Helmet: compulsory for children under 12, as rider or passenger (fine €135); recommended for everyone.
• Pedestrian zones: maximum 10 km/h, and pedestrians have priority.

• Two working brakes and a bell audible at 50 metres.
• At night or in poor visibility: a white or yellow front light and a red rear light.
• Reflectors: white at the front, red at the back, orange on the wheels (or reflective tyres) and on the pedals.
• Outside built-up areas at night or in poor visibility, a reflective vest for the rider and passengers. Missing equipment is usually fined €11; not wearing a vest when required, €35.

• Lock the frame and a wheel to a fixed stand with a solid lock (a U-lock rather than a cable).
• The City offers secure bike parking, including spaces in car parks and enclosed street lockers (vélobox); see paris.fr for locations and subscriptions.
• Ask your building manager whether there is a bike room (local vélo); taking a bike inside a flat may be restricted by the building rules.
• If your bike is stolen, file a police report and declare it in the marking database.