Toulouse: against the scourge of theft, park your bike with private individuals
The Velhome platform, launched at the end of 2020, allows cyclists to park their bikes in private homes, to avoid theft on public roads.
Nearly 3,600 bicycles were reported stolen to the police in 2020 in Toulouse, Blagnac, Colomiers and Tournefeuille. A real scourge, especially since this figure of complaints filed hides a large number of undeclared thefts…
So, to avoid having to attach your bike on public roads, the Velhome platform allows you to get in touch with individuals. The latter make their home, a balcony, a cellar, a secure box available free of charge, for a few hours. “It’s a service based on solidarity, a strong link in the cycling community”, explains Paul Ravet, one of the two co-founders of the platform, with Octave Kleynjans.
“Being able to park your bike under cover, rather than in the street”
The two friends started in 2020. Still students, they are confronted, personally and in their entourage, with the phenomenon of bicycle theft. “It’s catastrophic, in Toulouse or elsewhere in France. A street is not the safest place to park your bike, while all around, doors can open to allow everyone to put their machine under cover. »
This is the case, for example, of Philippe, who lives on rue Achille Viadieu, in the Saint-Michel district. “I registered on Velhome, and I provide my balcony, I live on the 2nd floor but it is easily accessible. I often travel by bike, and I would like sometimes, when I go to the cinema or to the restaurant, to be able to park my bike under cover”.
A free service, based on solidarity
“As a cyclist, we like freedom, but sometimes it’s worth taking a few minutes to contact a host and put your bike in a safe place,” says Florian, also a Velhome host.
He lives on the edge of the Canal du Midi, boulevard des Minimes. He makes his cellar available, for example to bicycle travelers who want to take a break from crossing the Canal des Deux Mers. “It’s funny, I really like this style of new services facilitated by digital technology, which make connections easier. »
Paul and Octave, the two founders of Velhome, do not have the time to devote themselves 100% to recruiting hosts, and rely heavily on word of mouth to develop their service. For the moment, about fifteen guests (only) are registered in Toulouse and in the agglomeration.
To fight against theft, the city of Toulouse and Indigo offer more than 650 bicycle spaces in underground car parks, including 467 in the Capitole car park, accessible free of charge (card with €8 deposit).