Paris Region Launching World’s Largest Fleet Of Electric Bicycles

Electric scooters are being deployed in major cities across the globe by states and startups alike to reduce congestion and pollution. The Paris region is reportedly going to take a similar step as part of a state-funded scheme which will be aimed at getting commuters to cycle to their destinations. Achieving this aim will require putting in place the largest fleet of electric bicycles in the world.

Reuters reports that the regional transport agency Ile-de-France Mobilités will be providing commuters with 10,000 electric bicycles for long-term rental. The fleet will eventually be expanded to 20,000 bicycles which would make it the world’s largest rental program for electric bicycles.

The service, dubbed “Veligo,” will promote bicycle commuting which currently accounts for a measly 1.6 percent of daily trips in the Ile-de-France region. The service will be run by a joint venture which includes the postal service and Transdev, a transportation company. Over $127 million has been budgeted for the service.

Veligo will complement the Velib bike rental program available in Paris. It has actually served as a model for bike-sharing globally but hasn’t been doing well since a new operator took over earlier this year. Only half of the 20,000 promised new Velibs are currently in operation.

Veligo is going to be different from Velib as it will allow for long-term rental. Velib only allows hourly rentals and bikes have to be docked at roadside stations. Veligo will let users keep the bikes with them for 40 euros per month. Half of that cost can be subsidized by their employers.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Transportation
Tags: electric bicycle