How to Ride Bikes Safely in Paris

[@james-p]

I love cycling in Paris. I use the Vélib' bikes all the time - I linked my account to my Navigo pass so it's really easy to grab one and go, and then just put it back in the nearest bourne when I'm done. No worry about locking it up. Learning how to pick a good one does take some experience tho - getting stuck with a few bad ones taught me to check the tires and pull the brake handles first, then check the brakes right away after taking it out to make sure they work well and don't squeal atrociously. And of course check the battery level on the electric ones. If you put it right back you don't get charged. And of course putting it back _all_ the way in! But I'm used to their idiosyncrasies now so they work great for me.

[@aairsick]

Love your Dad - he really has awesome perspective.

[@JaySwanson]

He's a keeper =)

[@senglim8788]

The helmet is so cool!! Looks like it and out of the movie Tron.

[@erpatitube]

Watching one of Jay’s videos is a great way to bookend one’s weekend.

[@JaySwanson]

Baww, thanks =)

[@colors6692]

You sound dull!

[@debracoulter1250]

Cool helmet. I would definitely have to do a tour. Driving in general seems scary! Lol it’s the different rules and signs mostly. I love that your dad was able to visit you. Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

[@JaySwanson]

The real trick is to take it slow, and then you'll have a much easier time =D

[@mybellavistatours]

Nice video! Very well captured and edited! Thank you for sharing this parisian experience! And great and inspiring channel by the way! Subscribed!

[@Chiefchief4444]

Nice to see more of Jess.

[@JaySwanson]

always =)

[@kimbyer700]

True infotainment, Jay. My favorite video in some time now. Well done!

[@JaySwanson]

Thanks! Glad you liked it =D

[@andyshacks7812]

Thanks for such an informative video Jay! Would love to cycle around next time I get to the city. I can so remember when that riverside path was a fast road! It’s definitely so much better now !

[@JaySwanson]

Way better now - loving the reclaimed space =)

[@courtneebarrette7816]

This is great! Thanks for an informative video.

[@roychastain2958]

I watched your "Live Edit" and wasn't sure how this would turn out. Great job! Smooth transitions and also very informative. Not sure I'll bike through Paris, but I learned the major rules and might try it. Thank you Jay.

[@JaySwanson]

Definitely never as smooth in the edit haha - glad it turned out! I wasn't so sure how it would turn out considering I wanted to die by the end of filming it 😂

[@agyos]

Wonderful to watch the live edit first, and then the polished product! I soooo love it when Jess appears…she’s loads of fun!

[@JaySwanson]

Glad it lived up to expectations!👍👍

[@tgottrich]

Hiya Jay - I started watching your live edit and skipped around in it without watching all the way through, so was pleasantly surprised to get the mention at the end of this, the finished product :-) This is a great example of the kind of video that inspired me to sign up to support you, so thanks for the fun, fact-filled film!

[@JaySwanson]

Happy that you caught it! I wonder sometimes how many patron shoutouts have been missed along the way

[@larag1764]

Jess looked gorgeous in that dress. Hi from subtropical Australia !

[@JaySwanson]

She's a beauty =D

[@Brady-bh3gl]

I can’t wait to finally visit next year !!

[@JaySwanson]

I hope it's a blast!

[@kathrynball9377]

awesome info, thanks Jay! Maybe we will try cycling on our next trip to town.

[@JaySwanson]

Definitely recommended =)

[@BobGeorgiouTO]

This was really well done Jay!

[@JaySwanson]

Thank you!

[@edfredi2]

Awesome video! Can’t wait to put this info to use!

[@JaySwanson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gregthompson7018]

Sensational Jay, love it. Riding my Moustache in Toulouse this week, hope to get it back up to PARIS again soon, see you on the streets of PARIS !.

[@JaySwanson]

Have a great ride!

[@MrMymatney]

Thank you for sharing & tips we need it when we travel .

[@davidjeffersjeffers7918]

Relaxed and informative. Good job! You should link this to the Peleton's FB page.

[@JaySwanson]

Thanks!

[@carolbrenner3121]

My favorite type of your videos

[@JaySwanson]

Glad you like it!

[@JUDDLILIHA]

so fun.... thanks Jay

[@JaySwanson]

You bet!

[@jainthorne4136]

Last time I was in Paris I did three Bike About Tours and biking in Paris is fabulous! But the real joy came when there was a huge transportation strike and I was able to rent a bike from Bike About Tours for the whole day. Next time I come to Paris I will bike every single day. It's wonderful.

[@JaySwanson]

An education that pays for itself double in Paris haha

[@jainthorne4136]

@@JaySwanson Absolutely! I learned about Bike About Tours from watching your videos. I'd planned a bike-centered return trip in 2020....canceled for obvious reasons....then again in 2021...cancelled again. Now I'm shooting for this coming summer. Fingers crossed!

[@always.wondering.wandering]

Thanks you three, great information for all of us bike riders. Would love to do a bike tour there one day. Take care now

[@JaySwanson]

Happy to share!

[@ClayShentrup]

Watching here in Portland and liking your dad's shirt.

[@maiko73]

Beautifull as always Jay...I always crave coffee after watching you hahaha..x

[@JaySwanson]

Haha, I'm a part of the problem for sure ;D

[@awakeningalchemy5744]

Thank you, I feel way more confident to cycle in Paris now. Looks great and seems you can hire a bike the old fashioned way without some app and a smartphone. Hallelujah!

[@Nubianette]

This was great, and I watched it twice! My feet are failing me, and will just start to hurt before I’m ready to stop exploring. So, I know I’ll be switching to biking instead of walking. Crazy, I’ve been to Copenhagen 8 times, but I’ve never ridden a bike there.

[@JaySwanson]

The biking makes a huge difference. You could see the whole city in a day =D

[@utexpressgirl]

Great info! Thank you.

[@JaySwanson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JBR2SRQ]

I have recently stumbled across your videos and absolutely love them! As a cyclist from the US I'm intrigued (and a bit nervous) about all the signage, lanes, pedestrians, etc when I come over in the fall, so I'll check out a bike tour before going out on my own. Keep up the good work!!!! oh, by the way...what brand are those sweet sunglasses?

[@momusufan964]

How was your experience cycling in Paris ?

[@julieparker8176]

We are enjoying Paris this week, Jay. Looking for you out riding but haven’t spotted you yet! 😀

[@JaySwanson]

Have a great trip!

[@suztexas]

I love Fat Tire tours! I highly recommmend🚲❤️

[@margaretkieler7330]

Your friend does Fat Tire Tours? They're my favorite! I've done the Versailles one twice, a Paris night tour ride, and did the fun Tour de France morning one. Great company!

[@JaySwanson]

She's their GM 😎

[@KarinLynnBates]

A really great informative video, Jay! Thank you! 🙏

[@JaySwanson]

My pleasure!

[@PAWS0810-]

biking in europe - austria to be exact - i was taking photos thru our two our biking on a electric bike - almost back to the resort and i braked with the right side and bike pulled i fell off, got hurt but no broken bones, cell phone fine and canon camera ok. bruised ego and body for several weeks. home about a month now and feeling ok.

[@JaySwanson]

Glad you're ok! The ego bruise is usually the worst

[@mardiffv.8775]

That is why I cycle mainly on recumbent tricycles. It takes a lot of effort to fall off.

[@bonrafaelborromeo7176]

Paris, hopefully I can go there and I be glad to have someone to see me around haha...

[@JaySwanson]

I hope you have a grand ol time!

[@abbysherali5109]

Evening Jay another great ... And to think you thought u might have lost your touch

[@JaySwanson]

Jury's still out 😂

[@ellbcee]

Back in January 2020 walking around Paris I very much wished I knew how to ride a bike because it would have been so convenient. This is making me wish more. Alas, I have some balance issues so I'd really need one of the adult tricycles at this point, I think.

[@JaySwanson]

Next time you'll be tricycle ready to roll!

[@magdastar2249]

Great video and very informative. Thank you for sharing this and please be safe. Happy Halloween and ALL Saint's Day. 🎃🐈‍⬛🙏❤

[@JaySwanson]

My pleasure!

[@Pozitivi]

Awesome !

[@JaySwanson]

Thanks!

[@Pozitivi]

@@JaySwanson 🚴‍♂️🏆

[@lewtoncole]

Any plans for another ebike?

[@JaySwanson]

It's always possible - I was thinking of taking a different company up on an offer to try one recently. Just don't want to become the eternal e-bike guy haha

[@eliorodriguez9170]

Thanks Jay for a wonderful and informative video. When my wife and I were in Paris in early October, I was struck by a woman on a bike in the 5th, not far from Le Loulou. We were both at fault, I’m from NYC where we all jaywalk and the Parisian woman ran the light. I wonder if she saw this video lol

[@JaySwanson]

It's definitely added a dangerous layer to getting around the city - there's a lot of room for improvement on both infrastructure and enforcement. It's also making the city healthier overall I think =) Similar to how everyone is running more now because of the lockdowns.

[@simonstevens7250]

Wearing a helmet is super cool! That being said- that is the nerdiest helmet I've ever seen! Just bought my first bike in Paris and I am loving it

[@1BigBucks1]

Jess fashion on point 👍

[@JaySwanson]

She knows what she's doing =D

[@erikatucker5019]

Reminds me of biking in Portland (Or)

[@neillambert8713]

Jay I am trying to buy one the 'gustave' cup and the checkout is going bonkers .Can i reset because i don't need( although i would like 4 of them.) This is Nicky Lambert ( neils wife ) and they look great for a christmas prezzy.

[@JaySwanson]

Ah dang, I'm sorry! That's through Spring so I can't do anything on the back end, but maybe this link will work better. I hope it does! I've had problems with them recently myself and am thinking of going with a totally different company in the future. jay-swanson-swag.creator-spring.com/listing/happy-gustave?product=527

[@liberalduh9807]

Are there bike paths in France’s suburbs; SUITABLE for an old guy with an electric trike? I was thinking of retiring to the Netherlands for the bike paths and for the quality of healthcare. But if I can get on a bike path in France and not have to worry about aggressive cars (aggressive towards bikes, the way they are in America), then I have another option. In comparison, and there are two good bike paths in the whole Atlanta (America) area, I’d be afraid to try to go anywhere in Atlanta, because bike paths frequently end up in narrow strip with cars going 60 mph right next to you.

[@JaySwanson]

they're getting better, but depends on which suburb and which city. France has amazing cycle paths all over france, connecting coasts and mountains... the cities are still playing catch up, but they're getting there!

[@garymitchell5899]

Paris cyclying needs confidence and awareness, but that's true for any city riding. The bike lanes are great and will get you almost anywhere on the main routes. Also go riverside as often as you can.

[@petejemmott7657]

The helmet looks a little like an updated Devo hat. Whip it, whip it good.....

[@JaySwanson]

😂

[@TheMsPants]

I got the same helmet!!! In bristol for te Voi scooters - I had to pay 5 but they are normally 80 or so !!!

[@JaySwanson]

It's a solid helmet 👍

[@RetiredRosie]

Love your helmet. It's like the collapsible top hat of helmets.

[@JaySwanson]

I just need a monocle 🧐

[@erinmh]

@@JaySwanson new vlog-a-day character, lol?

[@helarsoito1986]

Where can I get this helmet plz?

[@Myjocalledlife]

We’re planning a trip to Paris in June (we booked a bike tour with bike about tours and let them know you sent us) but we’re having trouble figuring out how we, as American tourist, can get a French health pass. Can you do a video that goes over how we can get that?

[@JaySwanson]

Cool! I hope it's a great trip. I did make a video about it back in July I think, but it's a moving target. Unfortunately the rules and systems around that change all the time. But your CDC card (if you're American) should work without issue, even a photo of it if that's all you have. To date, that's how a lot of people I know have managed.

[@senglim8788]

How about doing a vlogmas in Paris this coming Christmas?

[@amyspeers8012]

I am so glad you wear a helmet. I’ve worked for too many years in ICUs so I always wear one. Be safe!

[@JaySwanson]

I'm up to like 95% usage - just forget occasionally =)

[@ierit3796]

How are Jay and his dad the same age?

[@JaySwanson]

Classic time paradox ;D

[@223raulh]

She is so into you bro!

[@adagonzalez2303]

Hola how does one ride a bike with a skirt? Jess is an expert at it from what I saw on the video. I need to wear pants. But nice video. Thanks😺😀😻

[@rc9272]

Fantastic orientation but I would probably get fined left and right!

[@JaySwanson]

The way chaos reigns around here, you'd probably get along just fine 😆

[@c_kemper]

You should see how they ride here in London… like they’re riding in the Tour de France…

[@JaySwanson]

Lots more joy riders *in* France 😆

[@daniel_weiss95]

You can't turn right on red? wtf?, i didn't know that, is that only a French rule or is that for any eu country where they ride bikes? i live in Copenhagen and i always turn right on red when i'm on my bike no matter the situation. If too many cyclists are waiting on the right side to go straight i just overtake on them on the left to go to the right before it turns green and it's fine, i've never gotten into any trouble when doing that.

[@JaySwanson]

Universally, cars can't turn right on red in Europe. As for local bike laws ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@garymitchell5899]

Red is stop dude. Sometimes they release right turn early, but the best thing is to just follow the lights. Who knew

[@daniel_weiss95]

@@garymitchell5899 I know it means stop, but i looked it up for our local laws, here ur allowed to turn right on red (according to the rules) the only time u have to stop for red is if ur going straight or u need to go left then u stop at the next traffic light wait till that turns green then u go.

[@daniel_weiss95]

@@JaySwanson yea that's odd I thought turning right on red was a universal thing in Europe apparently not only applies to local laws. Damn that sucks u guys need to wait on red and we don't oh well lucky us.

[@JBugz777]

If there was any justice, they would have stolen the VanMoof not the cool bike...😂

[@JaySwanson]

😂😂

[@hbeerman372]

🙋

[@JaySwanson]

Heyooo

[@leenprael3583]

That helmet looks super nerdy 😂

[@superjfbm]

...i need a bike that doesnt need me to pedal

[@JaySwanson]

Just scootin' along =D

[@mardiffv.8775]

That is called a moped. Or an E-bike with throttle.

[@sunmoonwater8]

For the women : if people can't walk because you ride through a red light then there light turned red , with them still walking on the street : what puts them in danger 😮

[@JaySwanson]

He's worked hard for that promotion

[@pathallam986]

On the plus side: cycling is good exercise, reduces carbon footprint, Parisians don't go in for daft lycra and ultra-streamlined helmets (fine for the Olympics or Tour de France, ridiculous on most other people). On the negative side: all kinds of two-wheelerists in Paris are a bloody menace to pedestrians: cyclists, scooterists (ie trottinettes), mopeds. They think the road belongs to them exclusively and run red lights *all* the time. One day I swear I am going to stop in the middle of the road while crossing and force someone to screech to a halt. They may even fall off. Sorry, rant over. Cycling is fine but for pedestrians in Paris the roads are no safer than before. Pedestrian visitors be warned.

[@JaySwanson]

Yeah, it's chaos. They need to up the enforcement of the rules but the French aren't fans of enforcing rules 😆 Definitely had a trio of girls decide to sprint through a group of cyclists on a bike path today and force me to stop, otherwise I would definitely have hit them, so sometimes it goes both ways 😆

[@olivierbartolli]

You look like your dad's dad 😂

[@JaySwanson]

I'm my own grandpa

[@TheMsPants]

I got the same helmet!!! In bristol for te Voi scooters - I had to pay 5 but they are normally 80 or so !!!

[@JaySwanson]

It's a great helmet