Paris joins 2-wheel trend

Biking is fast becoming the transportation of choice in environmentally aware European cities. Take Paris, for instance. As of today, the French capital is expected to have more than 10,000 bikes for rent at 750 stations around the city, to give tourists and residents an opportunity to feel environmentally chaste, and give them a fun, fast way to explore.

Called Velib’, the program allows riders to pick up and drop off three-speed bikes at any of the stations spread throughout the city. The first 30 minutes are free; after that the cost is 1 euro for the first half-hour, about $1.35, 2 euros for the second half-hour and 4 euros for each half hour after that.

Subscription cards can be purchased for periods of one day (1 euro); seven days (5 euros); and one year (29 euros).

New York Times

New Diana exhibit

Princess Diana fans might want to plan a pilgrimage to London during the next six months. On June 30, an audiovisual exhibition, “Diana: a Princess Remembered,” was unveiled in Kensington Palace, her former home. The exhibition marks the 10th anniversary of her death and will be on display until the beginning of January.

More than 200 photographs will be featured, going back to her teenage years, as well as television film footage and interviews with those who worked with the princess.