Councillor samples French cycle scheme (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Councillor samples French cycle scheme

1:33pm Monday 22nd October 2007 in News By Alex Lewis

AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-minded councillor from St Albans was one of the very first people to use a new rent-a-cycle scheme in France.

District councillor Jack Pia made several bike trips in the southern French city of Marseilles on October 13, the first day of the scheme, modelled on a highly successful initiative in Paris.

Having recently returned to the UK he told the Review today: "I picked one in the Old Port, went to lunch with friends, left it at drop-off point, and picked one up later, making five different trips with four different bikes.

"And it only cost me three Euros.

"St Albans is not big enough to support a scheme like this, however we can learn from cities such as Marseille, which up to now has had few facilities for cyclists.

"It is time for our city to face up to need to reduce the need for cars for short journeys."

London Mayor Ken Livingston is looking at introducing a similar scheme.