Electric bike-taxis arrive in Paris

Overshadowed by the spectacular success of the Velib bike-sharing program in Paris, the arrival of the electric bike taxi has been somewhat under-reported by the press. But the new eco-taxis with the dome-shaped shells are nonetheless part of a wider vision of the city government to steer Paris towards a more sustainable transport network. The market consists of two companies at present – Urban Cab (7 taxis, expanding to 30 next year) and Cyclobulle. Urban Cab has a pre-defined circuit which links Place de la Concorde with Bastille via Saint Michel. The taxis are slow, averaging 13 km/hour with a maximum speed of 25 km/hour if your driver pedals hard. But, like Asian rickshaw taxis or tuk-tuks, they are narrow and good at slip-sliding through traffic jams. The tariff is 1.50 euros per person per kilometer travelled with a minimum flag rate of 3 euros. That rate goes up to 2.50 euros per person on Sundays and public holidays. Lyons pioneered the bike-taxi system in 2003 with Cyclopolitain, and inspired Nice, Grenoble and Nantes to follow suit.