Renting a Velib Bike in Paris – Tips from a Parisian Beginner
I’m Parisian, and believe it or not, I had never rented a Velib bike in Paris before this summer. It almost feels embarrassing to admit, since Velib stations are everywhere, but my only memory of public bikes dated back to Lyon, 15 years ago. At the time, I was 25, the first French city had just launched public bike rentals, and I used them mainly to get home after long nights out. It was practical, cheap, and I was young and carefree. Things are different now: I’m older, more cautious, and not so relaxed about riding in the middle of traffic.
This year, I decided to set myself a challenge: finally testing a Velib bike in Paris. I chose August because Paris is calmer in summer. Fewer cars, fewer crowds, more comfortable conditions when you’re not very confident yet. I wanted to practice before facing the “real” Paris in September, when the streets fill again with cars, buses, scooters, pedestrians, and of course, many more cyclists (especially since COVID).
Even though I know Paris quite well, mostly by walking and sometimes by car, cycling felt like entering a whole new world. And honestly, I was nervous.
Getting Prepared
My first concern was simply: will I manage to rent a bike without looking ridiculous or losing time at the station? I didn’t want to stand there pressing buttons with no clue what to do. So, I prepared myself by watching YouTube tutorials.
I found an excellent video (in French but with English subtitles) that explained everything: the steps at the station, and the mistakes to avoid. In just six minutes you get all the key information, and after testing myself, I can confirm it’s 100% accurate. Here’s the link if you want to watch: How to Use Velib Bikes.
This step made me feel much more confident before even approaching a Velib station.
Velib Paris for Tourists – Passes and Prices
If you’re visiting Paris, forget about subscriptions. Velib Paris for tourists works best with tickets and short passes. You can buy them directly on the Velib website or in the app.
Here are the options:
- Single ride ticket – €3. One-way trip, classic (green) or electric (blue), 45 minutes included.
- 24-hour pass – €5 for classic (30 minutes per ride), €10 for electric (60 minutes classic / 45 minutes electric).
- 3-day pass – €20, including 60 minutes on classic and 45 minutes on electric bikes.
Extra time is charged at €1 every 30 minutes for classic bikes and €2 every 30 minutes for electric ones. Fortunately, the bike’s screen keeps track of your time so you can monitor it easily.
Tip: if you’re several people, one account can unlock up to five bikes at the same time, a practical feature for families or friends traveling together.
Unlocking your Velib Bike
After buying your pass, you receive an identifier and a code to unlock your bike. If you use a Navigo card (the Paris metro card), it can be connected to your Velib account, but I have to admit, I never figured it out! I tried twice, called customer service (very quick and efficient), and they helped me. I couldn’t make it work by myself. So, my advice: unless you’re staying long and plan to use Velib daily, don’t waste time with this. The code method works perfectly.
If you buy through the app, it’s even easier. Your account is linked, so you simply use your phone at the station. For now, this works best with NFC Android phones. I’ll test with an iPhone next time.
There are helpful tutorials for this step too: How to unlock a Velib with codes and Using the phone to unlock a bike.
Choosing a Bike at the Velib Station
Paris city bikes come in two colors: Green = classic bike, Blue = electric bike.
Before unlocking, always check your bike carefully. A few minutes of inspection can save you from frustration or even danger.
- Press the green tick on the bike’s screen: if it lights up, the bike is available. If a red light flashes above, it means there’s an issue.
- Adjust the saddle to make sure it moves.
- Test the brakes, and make sure both sides work (I learned this the hard way on my first ride when only one side was working).
- Check tire pressure.
- Look at the chain.
- If it’s electric, confirm the battery is charged enough for your trip. Remember: rides often take longer than planned because you stop to admire the views!
One very useful tip: in the app, you can see when each bike was last reviewed by a user. I recommend choosing one reviewed within the last three hours, or maximum within the last 24 hours. It increases your chance of getting a bike in good condition.
Planning your Journey
Before riding off, always check the station where you want to return the bike. If there are very few empty spots left, choose a plan B station nearby. It saves time and avoids the stress of cycling around searching for a dock at the end of your ride.
For navigation, I recommend Google Maps in bike mode. The Velib app also works, but Google Maps has an advantage, it shows what percentage of your route has dedicated cycle lanes. For me, this is essential. As a beginner, I’m not comfortable riding alongside cars. I’d rather take a longer route if it means more protection and less stress. As a tourist, I can only imagine you’ll appreciate this too. In central Paris, most sightseeing areas now have many separate cycle lanes, which makes the experience more pleasant. But some crossroads are still confusing, and in the middle of cars it’s not the time to hesitate.
One last practical note: the bikes have a small basket in front. Personally, I never use it for my bag. Maybe I’m too cautious, but it feels too easy to snatch. Instead, I prefer keeping my things on me. However, it’s super safe to put your phone on the dedicated case, it’s super protected.
Returning the Velib Bike
When you reach your destination station, dock your bike carefully. Wait until the screen shows that the ride has ended, otherwise, the time keeps running and you’ll be charged extra. You’ll also see your ride stats in the app: duration, distance, and even speed.
Important: Velib bikes must always be returned to official stations. You cannot leave them randomly on the street, like some other bike-share systems. But with over 1,500 stations in Paris and suburbs, you’ll always find one nearby.
Conclusion: My First Impressions
After two test rides in August, I can say I truly enjoyed the experience. I felt happy and free, seeing Paris from another perspective. Cycling is faster than walking but still slow enough to enjoy the beauty around you.
At the same time, I’m realistic. I still feel nervous about busy traffic and would never ride in the middle of cars. For now, I’ll continue but only on routes where most of the journey is on cycle lanes.
For visitors, I think Velib Paris is a wonderful option. It’s affordable, easy to use, and lets you move between neighborhoods while enjoying the city at your own rhythm. And if you feel that renting a Velib bike in Paris is still too much, you can always book a guided bike tour. That way, you’ll ride safely in a group and still enjoy discovering Paris on two wheels.
If you want to feel more confident, take a few minutes to learn the basics of French road rules. I found this video very helpful. It explains what you need to know biking in Paris.
So, next time you pass a Velib station, don’t hesitate, Paris is waiting to be explored by bike!