Ride A Bike

My friend Suzie goes to Paris almost every summer. She swears the best way to see this amazing city is by bike. After visiting Paris last year, I saw her point. The traffic is crazy, the roads are in no discernible pattern, and parking is expensive. A bike allows you to see the area at a slower pace and without the hassles of a car.
This is true for many travel destinations. When I was in Bavaria, I wished I had the time to bike through the hills. Here traffic is heavy in the tourist towns; between them, the streets are sparsely traveled, in great condition, and have a country feel. I live a few hours from Moab, and biking takes on a different take there. It's not just for a leisurely tour but for a physical challenge. So whatever your purpose for travel, consider renting a bike.
Most cities and tourist sites have travel brochures you can request by website or phone, which will include local bike rental information.

Here are a few websites to get you started:
1. http://www.en.velib.paris.fr/comment_ca_marche - Velib is an ingenious idea. You subscribe to this rental system for 1 day, 7 days, or more and then have access to bikes that are parked literally all over the city. The first 30 minutes are free. There are details on this site. I saw these bikes when I was in Paris, but didn't know how it worked and missed out. Wish I had known before I went. Why walk the 20 minutes from the hotel to the museum, when you can bike for free! (This site http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-bike-rentals.htm has details about this bike program as well.)
2. http://www.zioncycles.com/ - See a breathtaking national park, Zion National Park, at a pace to enjoy the details.
3. http://www.bikerentalsplus.com/index.php?id=49 - This company was started by an American family over 30 years ago and has expanded to Europe. When I was in the Loire Valley in France, I saw many bicyclers and wished I had the time to join them because this area is a GEM. Bike Rentals rents on a daily basis at several locations in France, as well as Italy and Costa Rica. They also do tours. Check it out.
4. http://www.detours-in-france.com/bourg-rando.php