Paris & Around - Discover France: Experience the Best of France - page 195

Parisians get around. Its almost 1500 stations across the city - one every 300m -
sport 20-odd bike stands a head (at the last count there were 23,500 bicycles in all
flitting around Paris) and are accessible around the clock.
One- and seven-day subscriptions can be purchased at any station with any
credit card that has a microchip; as deposit pre-authorise a direct debit of €150, all
of which is debited if your bike is not returned or is reported as stolen). Bikes are
geared to cyclists aged 14 and over, and are fitted with gears, antitheft lock with
key, reflective strips and front/rear lights. Bring your own helmet.
Pont des Arts with Institut de France in background
PHOTOGRAPHER: RICHARD I'ANSON
Public Transport
Paris' underground network, also run by the RATP, consists of two separate but
linked systems: the Métropolitain, or métro, with 16 lines and 384 stops; and the