I'm perplexed, dear reader. Try as I might, I can't understand WHY I'm so annoyed by the Paris bike rental scheme Vélib. Why does the whole thing irritate me so? There's no logical explanation. The dear Mrs. LOG suggested that it might be a reaction to a deep-seated fear that, one day, someone is going to make me get on one and I will have to do some real exercise. She may have a point. Whatever. Although I never felt this way about in-line skating (remember when THAT was fashionable?). Anyway, amazingly even without my backing, Vélib is a huge success. In less than a month, we've gone from crowds of people standing looking puzzled by the bike station just by Rhino75 Towers to a severe Vélib shortage. It's almost impossible to get your hands on one at the weekend, even if you wanted to. Which I don't. Why, it'll soon be easier to get a cab than a bike. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that the whole thing's a huge con, that we're all being taken in somehow, although I don't know in what way or even by whom. I remain convinced that it's the start of a very slippery slope. Harrumph.
7 comments:
I think the Velib thing is trés merveilleux! They've had a similar system in Lyon for several years and it works quite well. Once they've got all the stations up and running, it should smooth out a lot. I, for one, will definitely try it the next time I'm in Paris (which, if all goes according to plan, should be next Avril).
I nearly fell over after reading the title of your post, thinking "no... it can't be... now RHINO is on a bike?"
Phew. I'm glad I jumped the gun and that my lethargy-dar is still working.
I rented a velib for all of thirty seconds, tried riding the thing five feet and had to return it. The brakes are on the handles for god's sake! last time I rode a bike it was a kiddie bike with the brakes on the pedals! I resent the implication that everyone knows how to ride one of these velib things and that those of us who don't just have to take the bus!
Starman, we'll be keeping a warm welcome for you, even though you are a Vélib believer. Hahaha, Le Meg, I like the idea of Lazeedar!! But could anyone be bothered to pick it up, I wonder. Maitresse, I knew such a stylish lady as yourself wouldn't be taken in by all this malarkey, panier or no panier (had it been basketwork, I think we all would have been there). Keep up the good work and hold fast.
Readers should note that our dear Maitresse is a Special Case. The last time I saw her, she begged for a novelty ride on my bike and nearly drove herself into the canal after pedaling five feet.
Pedalbrakes the norm... smack that bitch up! No... Maitresse is not a bike warrior. But I'm not prejudiced against pedestrian gladiators either.
In any case, the Velib had a totally different effect on me. When I saw the hassle it took to get them out and put them in, plus knowing it's JUST a money making scheme in disguise, I knew I just had to replace my stolen bike. Probably just trying to be posh but why ride a DDR clone when you can whiz around in a Porsche?
This kind of thing is usually best tackled after a few drinks.
That way the absurdity is countered by hilarity and the curiosity by necessity.
Wild.
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