Vélib' terminal, bicycle and post

Vélib’ is the self-service bicycle sharing system that was launched in Paris on 15 July 2007 and in the inner suburbs in 2009. Cycling enables flexibility in the city dweller’s movements, has low ecological impact and the collective use of the bicycle in the urban environment has encouraged its combination with other forms of transport. France’s La Rochelle had the first city-run bicycle rental scheme in 1974, and the system is now in use in several countries. The Parisian Vélib’ system currently has the largest bicycle fleet in Europe (20,000 bicycles available at 1,202 stations) and averages 110,000 rentals per day. The JCDecaux company has registered numerous patents for its operating system and the security of the bicycle and its rider.