Vélib’ is a bike hire service (“vélo libre” or “vélo liberté”, English: free bicycle or bicycle freedom) is a public bicycle rental programme in Paris, France. Launched, after Lyon's Velo'v success,on July 15, 2007, 10,000 bicycles were introduced to the city with 750 hire points each with 15 or more bikes/spaces. This number has grown to 20,000 bicycles and 1,450 automated stations.
Velib'
© Google Maps
By kjfitz @ 2008-07-05 16:17:14
"Over half the original fleet of 15,000 specially made bicycles have disappeared, presumed stolen.
They have been used 42 million times since their introduction but vandalism and theft are taking their toll.
The company which runs the scheme, JCDecaux, says it can no longer afford to operate the city-wide network. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7881079.stm