What is the Point Owning a Car in Paris?
Velib Bikes Lined Up
According to information provided by mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe, an increasing number of Parisians are thinking of ways to get rid of their cars. It was estimated that 16% of car owners in Paris use their 4-wheeled friend less than once per month. On average a car in Paris spends around 95% its lifetime parked.
Therefore during the last decade the bicycle routes of French capital have been extended threefold to 440 kilometres. Now 3% of total traffic in Paris is generated by bicycles. A self-service bicycle hire company Velib was established in 2007 and has become an instant hit with Frenchmen of different backgrounds. It is working on a pick-up-drop-off basis. You can pick up a bicycle near your home, make a journey and drop it off where convenient.
A similar electric car hire scheme - Autolib - will be introduced in late 2011. At least 3000 electric cars will be available on short hire from 1000 locations within and around Paris. This is a great alternative to those not too fond of public transportation. It remains unclear who would run Autolib electric car hire scheme.
Thus the mayor of Paris plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 22,000 tonnes a year. That’s a very brave estimate - have they considered the CO2 necessary to generate electricity for those extra electric cars?
Pic by Cédric Bonhomme
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