Paris Feels Different on a Bike

The same exhilarating chaos I remembered, but with a lot more bike lane

It had been years since I’d been back to Paris, from when I lived there in 2014. I remember grabbing a Vélib’ (the city bikes) almost at the end of my stay. It was the most chaotic thing to bike back then. It felt exhilarating and, at the same time, like I was fighting for my life.

This time that I was back, at the end of May this year, it reminded me of that feeling... but this time it was different. I still felt like I was in a bit of danger at some points, but now the city has transformed into a biking hub!

Some streets have been fully upgraded to cater to bikers. The urban infrastructure seems all new, and I felt like this is what the city needed to have fewer angry people! While biking through Paris, I felt amazing. All my problems blew away as I pedaled along.

Yes, there are some parts of the city that still lack safe bike lanes, but for most of the time I felt that the city planning in Paris did a good job. Actually, the neighborhood where I felt the safest biking was Neuilly-sur-Seine. But well, I don’t know if it still counts since it seems like it’s its own thing, being a separate commune from Paris.

Anywho, I do recommend biking in Paris. It’s a must now in 2026!

PS: I was using an eBike this time