CNN iReport

Paris, the billboard reads::

To Break a Bicycle is Easy...

It Can't Defend Itself

16,000 bicycles vandalised

8,000 disappeared

Vélib is for you..

Protect it....

The struggle to save the world's largest, originally, 22,000 bicycles, and most famous bicycle sharing program, Vélib, has entered a new phase.

In the past I have posted stories concerning the difficulties facing the Paris bike-sharing program.  In the past few days this service known as Vélib has addressed the the problem by posting these notices all around the city.

One irony is that the ads appear on billboards owned and operated by JC Decaux which is in charge and is managing Vélib for the city.  As I mentioned in a previous report, the huge, diversified multinational JC Decaux was, and as far as I know, still is, asking for the city for financial assistance,a bail-out, to continue the operation because of the huge unexpected costs in maintaining the system.

Other cities world-wide have incurred similar operational difficulties and it remains a question as to whether or not these programs can function successfully.

photos #2-5... vandalised Vélib bicycles

photo #6... Vélib maintenance vehicle

photo #7... Vélib repair person

photos #8&9 ..Vélib docking//rental stations

My previous posts regarding Velib...they're good..promise!

http://ireport.com/docs/DOC-223525

http://ireport.com/docs/DOC-35353

http://ireport.com/docs/DOC-36752

and YES, I do follow-up on stories....the subjects of my stories are important to me...not merely plat du jour..daily iReport assignments..

Update:...I just received a phone and have been invited for next Monday to provde a video comment on this subject to CBC...Canadian Broadcasting Company.  If it is available and  adds anything pertinent to this subject I will certainly post it some time next week.