In Paris, the cliché of the illegal tuktuk, easily described as a tourist trap that Parisians are reluctant to use, may have been in the back of our minds. But now the legalized bike cab is conquering the capital! At a time when the car's place within the walls of the capital is becoming increasingly limited, the velo-cab trend could well offer Parisians of today and tomorrow a great alternative for your journeys.
This concept offers a new option for experiencing the capital to the full. While visitors can still take advantage of specially designed tours, this service also aims to win the hearts of Parisians! Imagine that, rather than going underground to take public transport on a sunny day, you could enjoy an effortless and often affordable ride to your destination, while seeing the capital's beautiful scenery flash before your eyes. It's a prospect that could make you appreciate Parisian life all the more.
Our first encounter with the Velo-Cab concept was with Turtle , whose fleet is located in the heart of the capital. The stereotype of the tuktuk goes out the window. Not only do these new-generation carriages offer a surprising degree of comfort and a greater sense of safety thanks to their design, but once aboard these electric tricycles, the stability of the velo-cab, even on cobbled roads, is astonishing.
As the bike-cab can be used on cycle paths, we were also amazed at the disconcerting dexterity with which the driver infiltrates cyclists to get around traffic jams. This adaptability to different types of traffic and roads was enough to break down any reservations we might have had about this alternative. In the eyes of Parisians, often pressed for time, this road-trip will probably give the glorious feeling of having cracked the code, even when the driver takes us through the parts of the quays of the Seine that are closed to traffic. And we can see you coming: the cabins are dressed for winter with protection against the elements. Although the service is only available during the day for the time being, it represents both a more environmentally-friendly offer compared with combustion-powered cars, and a more economical one compared with average VTC fares, with prices around 30% lower, according to Turtle.
Another player is also preparing to conquer the capital, this time Bimboum. Towed by an electric bicycle, this second operator, currently in beta phase, intends to complete the public transport offer by offering cabs accessible to People with Reduced Mobility (PRM). These cabs offer a crucial alternative to public transport, and in particular to the metro, of which only line 14 is fully accessible to PRMs. You can then enjoy the pleasure of a stroll along the banks of the Seine, near Montmartre and other Parisian spots that are sublime but difficult to access for these audiences. Here too, the cabins are protected from the cold and inclement weather, so you can enjoy your ride whatever the weather!
