I wonder if it's accurate to characterize the Velib program as a failure. Total expenses from lost and stolen bikes are just over $10 million doallars. That's a lot of money, but it averages out to only about 24 cents per use. That's a lot cheaper than typical bus or subway usage--and astronomically cheaper than car usage in a terminally congested city.

A lot of people sneak onto the bus and subway without paying fares, and buses and subway cars are frequently vandalized. But they don't talk about abandoning buses and subways. I also think the theft and vandalism will reduce after the novelty of the Velib bikes wears off.

I hope the city or national government decides to subsidize the Velib bikes so they can continue running the program.