JCDecaux SA (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide and the pioneer in self-service bike rentals, announced that its new self-service bike rental scheme in Lyon, the Vélo’v, has been awarded the “Janus de la Cité 2018” prize by the French Design Institute.
For 65 years, the French Design Institute has promoted companies of all sizes for offering the best products and services. The Janus awards recognise the achievements of companies that combine talent, design and economic success. The “Janus de la Cité” prize rewards those whose work helps to improve the living environment of city dwellers and users. In accordance with the evaluation process, the new Vélo’v service meetsall the assessment criteria in terms of economy, aesthetics, ergonomics, ethics and emotion.
After the contract win in November 2017, following a call for tender launched by the Métropole of Lyon, JCDecaux gave the second-generation Vélo’v service a complete refurbishment, reworking its design, components and functionality. The new colour scheme, in grey and red, was devised by JCDecaux teams with artistic direction from Franco-Argentinian designer Marcelo Joulia (creator of branding for the Olympique Lyonnais stadium). The bike’s new look conveys a desire for lighter weight, mobility and ease of use. Made of aluminium and weighing 2.3kg less, the bike’s curves have been reworked to reduce weight and enhance visual aspects while preserving solidity, thanks to the addition of a puncture-proof back wheel and a non-slip device. The bikes are also equipped with a rear lamp to visually mark out the required safe distance. In addition, a range of technical innovations and updated services ensure a brand new user experience, with a new smartphone application, the “Vélo’v officiel” and revamped website ensuring much greater ease of use. The Vélo’v is being fully assembled in the Rhône-Alpes region.
Marcelo Joulia, Designer of the new Vélo’v, said: “I am truly proud to be contributing to the drive for greater urban mobility, thanks to exceptional projects such as the Vélo’v. Working with JCDecaux, which is one of the most innovative and pioneering companies in the field of urban living, and one of the pillars of French design, is a real privilege.”
Jean-Charles Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of JCDecauxsaid: “JCDecaux has been helping cities evolve for more than 50 years now and we are very proud to have won the “Janus de la Cité” award for 2018. We are deeply attached to the city of Lyon, which has always taken a pioneering approach to shared services. The city launched the first ever major self-service bike rental scheme in France with the Vélo’v, which had already won the “Janus de la Cité” prize for 2006. I dedicate this latest award, which testifies to JCDecaux’s expertise in design, creativity and services, to the Métropole of Lyon, to service users, and to our teams, which continuously strive to ensure that cities and city dwellers are provided with an ever-growing range of aesthetic, lasting solutions.”