Trike Share: Paris Introduces World's First Bike Share For Kids

With P'tit Velib, parents can get their tykes some practice on bikes at attractions all around the city.

More than 700 cities now have bike-share schemes, and some even have rental services for e-bikes, scooters, and cars. But Paris can now claim to have something the others don't: bikes for tykes.

The French capital recently unveiled P'tit Velib, which offers four models aimed at children two to eight years old. "La Draisienne," the smallest, has no pedals. The largest has a 20-inch frame and looks like a cut-down version of the standard grey Velib bike. Prices start at €4 ($5.44) an hour.

In bike-friendly European cities, it's common to see very young cyclists and the P'tit Velib website talks of the need to get kids riding young. "Because good habits begin early, the mayor of Paris wishes to familiarize children with using more environmentally friendly modes of transport, and from a young age," it says.

The bikes are currently available in seven central locations, including the Zoo and the Bois de Boulogne. Helmets are on hand if parents want them (though they're not mandatory). Service hours run from mid-morning to 7 p.m. (unlike the adult scheme which goes round the clock)...

Read on at FastCompany