Nice will have blue bikes!

published on 23/3/2009

After Paris, Marseille and Lyon, Nice will also have its own self-service bicycles system. Its name is not yet known, but the color is blue. This system will be operational starting this summer on the three different stations.

In light of his environmental campaign, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, announced on Friday the establishment of a self-service bicycles system. With a budget of 3.3 million euro’s over three years, 1.750 bicycles will circulate freely in the streets of Nice from July. Revenues from subscriptions and rentals will be returned to the urban community.

The mayor of Nice has been promoting soft transport methods and respectful usage of our ozone layer, the answer: Bikes!

 

But the city of Nice is a city like no other. The difference? Very high profile landscapes. No problem, these new means of transportation will be electric and will have small photonic batteries). The plan has already been launched. It’s Véloway, subsidiary of Véolia, who will be responsible for preparation of the bikes. They are also "responsible for the recruitment" of staff in Nice, said Christian Estrosi.

A three-step implementation
 
The first implementation will cover the core areas and the South East (pink box) from July 2009. To start, 90 stations will be equipped with 900 bicycles. In November, the neighborhoods west central gathering Magnan (orange), will be equipped with 30 stations and 300 additional bicycles. It will not be until April 2010 that the areas north-east and the Ariane (yellow) will be fitted with 55 stations and 550 bikes. In total, 175 stations (300 meters from one another), 1 750 bikes and 3 100 bikes hanging terminals will be installed in the city.

Nice currently has a 7 km cycle track, but others are also scheduled. "The goal is to reach about forty kilometers in the next five years" said Christian Estrosi. Afterwards, those of avenue Jean Médecin followed by Boulevard Gambetta, Borriglione and St Roch.

But if the city of Nice wants to competitive in terms of subscription costs, the competition looks tough. With a subscription of € 25 per year, Nice is far more expensive than Marseille with only 7 € subscription costs per year.

 

by Marie-Angeline Soldi, Nice Premium