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HOWTO: Navigate Paris During a Strike

Ah, Paris in the fall. The museums, the crisp walks along the Seine... the transit strikes? Hey, that's France for you. Almost all the trains have stopped and the only subway that's running--Line 14--is automated. So what's a person to do?

Bikes are the way forward. The Velib program was suffering from bike shortages even before the strike, so don't count on that as a sure-fire way to get around. Still, you may be able to score one if you park yourself in front of a docking station and wait a few minutes.

If loitering isn't your thing, get over to Fat Tire Bike Tours Paris in the 15th arrondissement. It's more of a tour company, but Fat Tire also do straight-up bike rentals. Rates start at €2 an hour and you can get the whole day for €15 ($21). But whatever you do, don't fret--the strike could be over by tomorrow.

Update: Dr. Vino wine blogger Tyler Colman reminds us of another way to handle the strike: Give up on getting around and get sloshed at a local wine bar.

Related Stories:
· Fat Tire Bike Tours Paris [Official Site]
· Velib Bikes coverage [Jaunted]
· Paris Wine Shops [Dr. Vino]

[Photo: jurvetson]