Bicycle Hire in Nice

Rental bikes in Nice: a subscription-only service allowing subscribers access to bicycles at any time from depots across the town. Annual, monthly and weekly subscription are available and the bikes may be used for up to 24 hours' cycling...

The Alpes-Maritimes caters well for cyclists and has an ever increasing network of road cycling tracks (pistes cyclables), connecting Nice - via the airport - with St-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Villeneuve Loubet.

Nice has a self-service bicycle rental system, Vélo Bleu, which provides an ecological way of getting round the town. There are 120 bicycle stations with 1200 bicycles and 1715 "bike dispensing" depots (points d'accrochage) in the town. All bicycles are available 24/7 every day of the year.

• Vélo Bleu Hotline Tel: 04 93 72 06 06

How to Subscribe to Vélo Bleu

Bikes are available to signed-up subscribers only. Subscription periods available are: one day, seven-days, one-month and one-year.

Annual subscribers to Ligne d'Azur bus services get reductions on the annual Vélo Bleu subscription fee.

• For subscription details and fees: Click here (in French)

To subscribe

• Download the online form: Click here (PDF in French)
• Post this, along with a Relevé d'Identité Bancaire (RIB, statement of bank details for payment) and a cheque for the appropriate subscription fees to:
  • Vélo Bleu
    BP 105
    06102 Nice Cedex 2
• or deliver in person to:
  • Ligne d'Azur
    3 Place Massena, Nice

The subscriber receives a card by post or on the spot at the Ligne d'Azur office. An existing Ligne d'Azur subscriber's transport card is activated enabling them to use the bicycle rental system.

Payment

Payment for time used is made by bank account debit on the 20th of each month, or every Thursday, depending on how the account was set up.

• Subscribers can check their account and the amount to be invoiced on the website under the heading "Mon compte": Click here

Using the Bicycles

The bicycles are available for use to anyone over the age of 14, with a minimum height of 1m45 and a maximum of 1m95 and weighing less than 120 Kg.

To release a bicycle at a bike station, use the touch screen machine and select louer un vélo. The rental period can either be activated using the Vélo Bleu or Ligne d'Azur card or by telephone. The number to dial will be displayed on the screen.

Select bicycle and unlock it.

Once the bicycle is unlocked, it must be removed within 30 seconds. After that, the lock will reactivate and the release procedure must be restarted.

To return the bicycle, take it to any one of the stations. Activate the touch screen and select restituer. Attach the cable and wait for the confirmation message on the screen.

If there is no room at the selected depot, swipe the card or call the number on the screen to qualify for 15 minutes extra time to find another depot.

Bicycles may be rented for a maximum of 24 consecutive hours, after which time a penalty fee is charged.

• For a map of the Vélo Bleu stations: Click here (PDF)
• To check bicycle availability: Click here
• For a step-by step explanation on borrowing or returning a bicycle: Click here (in French)
• For information about fees: Click here (in French)

Theft or loss

If the bicycle is stolen, it must be reported by using the contact form or by calling Allo Vélo Bleu, giving details on where the bike was left, date and time. Within 48 hours the incident should also be reported to the police, and a copy should be sent to Vélo Bleu.

• Vélo Bleu hotline Tel: 04 93 72 06 06
• Vélo Bleu
  BP 105
  06102 Nice Cedex 2

If the bicycle is lost, a penalty is due (plus 24 hours rental charges if the loss is not declared to Vélo Bleu).

In the event of a loss of a Vélo Bleu card, call the hotline. A new subscription card will be sent.

Related Information

• Vélo Bleu website