Autolib, Paris's Public Electric Car Service
by Bryan Pirolli
Velib', Paris's public bicycle system, was apparently just one step in the mayor's plan to promote green transportation and decrease congestion. Next on the agenda is the Autolib, a public electric car service. Mayor Bertrand Delanoe announced that by 2010 he plans to have at least 2,000 cars and 700 stations in place within the city's 20 arrondissements.
For travelers, this is great news. The popular Velib' bicycles already provide locals and visitors alike with a new and inexpensive way to experience Paris. The Autolib will hopefully be one more eco-friendly way to travel across the city. If you know Paris traffic, you know it's akin to riding a taxi through Manhattan. (Will there be barf bags?)
But we have to wonder: What's to stop some visitor loaded with alcohol and a deflated sense of direction from driving into the Seine at three in the morning? Biking under the influence is one thing, but Autolib's convenience might invite tourists--who would otherwise not have access to cars--to drive home after that six-course meal with wine pairings.
For locals, the Autolib could mean 2,000 (up to 4,000, according to the mayor) cars crowding the packed streets of Paris. The hope is that the system will deter Parisians from purchasing cars in the first place. Details are still pending on prices and designs, but the City of Lights will certainly be holding its breath to see if this new implementation will be as successful as the Velib'.
Further reading:
* Video: Bicycling in Paris
* Velib' Hits the Paris Suburbs
* Word of Mouth: The buzz worldwide
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