The transport strikes are a hassle, but with the weather nice, and Paris being pretty pedestrian friendly, walking is no real chore. However, this week has been one in which I’ve wondered if cycling may actually be bad for your health.

The Velib communal bikes have been massively popular since their introduction back in July, and they come into their own on strike days, with double the number of rentals yesterday as there are on a normal, non-strike day.

Why are they bad for your health? because, particularly on strike days, they are rented by people who’ve not used a bike for 20 years, and who take to the street amongst the traffic (also swollen by people not used to driving in Paris) thinking they’re indestructible:

And the Highway Code? I don’t think it’s supposed to count for Velibs – red traffic lights are ignored, one way streets and narrow pavements are fair game, and pedestrian crossings become a run-the gauntlet affair.

(I have been known to step out in front of the one’s who don’t stop at crossings just to make them swerve, but as I’ve not sorted out my health insurance, this only happens when I’ve had a really bad day at work…)

Could they be fitted with those little wheel-locking things they have on supermarket trolleys that stop them being taken out of bounds?