We spent a week+ in Paris, randomly partaking of the local bike-share system, the Velib'. For a 5 euro/7 day fee, we had access to any bike at any stand throughout the city - and there were lots! The first half-hour is free, and a nominal fee per after that. We managed to transport from stand to stand within the half-hour like it was a game show challenge!
How did this differ from cycling around SF?
1) Paris is, like many European cities, much more accustomed to bicyclists. The drivers are more aware, and therefore you feel less like an unseen gnat waiting to be squashed.
2) Bike routes abound! Both traffic lane versions, AND protected ways. What a pleasure to cycle knowing you're the right-of-way favorite, rather than the minority challenger!
3) Most roads are narrower, thus most traffic is calmer. Even in areas without bike lanes, I felt I had good reaction time to most vehicle movement. More reaction time = more feeling of control.
4) no helmets! I wasn't too keen on this to begin with, but soon discovered the joy of cycling with the wind in my hair!
5) No bulldog bike locks! With Velib' stands so littered about the city, the challenge was just to find one, rather than be challenged to securely wind a 5lb chain/lock through frame/spoke in the hopes that you'll still own it when you walk out of the shop 10 minutes later. The Velib' stands were a quick access roll-in lock. Viola!
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