Vélib’ scheme for children launched

A JUNIOR version of Paris’s popular Vélib’ bike hire scheme was due to be launched today.

The P’tit Vélib’ was inaugurated on the banks of the Seine by the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo.

In total, 300 bikes - in the same distinctive grey as the city’s 20,000 adult bikes - will be available at five locations in the pedestrian zone near the Canal Saint-Martin on the banks of the river, near the green corridor of the 12th arrondissement, or in the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes.

They are not for use on the open road and a range of bikes are available for young riders aged between two and 10 years old. Youngsters are supplied with a helmet and the bikes have a basket on the front.

Unlike the the adult version, however, rentals will be limited to Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2pm to 6pm and from Monday to Saturday during school holidays.

Rates are expected to range from €4 to €7 an hour and from €10 for longer durations.

The idea for the children’s version of the successful bike rental scheme was born in 2012 when Ms Hidalgo asked children to imagine their ideal city of the future.

The Vélib’ scheme has been running for seven years, and has proved hugely popular.

Photo: mariordo59