Bike share vs renting
Public bike-share systems (€1–3/day pass, free first 30 min) are great for last-mile A-to-B; full-day rentals from bike shops better for tourist sightseeing routes. The cities below have public systems that genuinely work.
Paris
Paris Vélib' was the first major system (2007). Now electric bikes added (Vélib' V3). Day pass €5; week pass €15; first 30 min free per ride. 1,400 stations. iOS/Android apps. Paris cycling lanes inconsistent — some great (Bois de Vincennes), some terrifying.
Lyon
Lyon Vélo'v predated Paris's by two years. €1.80/day; first 30 min free. Compact city makes Vélo'v the obvious transport for short hops. 4,000 bikes.
London
London Santander Cycles (a.k.a. Boris Bikes). £1.65/30 min. 800 stations. Practical for last-mile but London traffic intimidating for casual cyclists. Padded saddles let down by heavy frames.
Barcelona
Barcelona Bicing — but residents-only registration (Spanish ID required). Tourists use Donkey Republic, Mobike, or rent from bike shops instead.
Helsinki
Helsinki HSL Citybikes — €5/day, 1,500 bikes May–October. Clean integrated with public transit app. Helsinki bike infrastructure legitimately good.
Berlin
Berlin Nextbike + multiple operators. €1/30 min after €5 sign-up. Less integrated than Paris but extensive coverage. Berlin's flat geography and bike lanes good for casual riders.
Strategy
Pre-register through app the night before — registration friction kills first-day usage. Helmet not provided (not legally required adults in most cities, but recommended). Cities to skip bike-share: Rome (chaos), Athens (chaos + hills).