I like the idea in principal, but what do they do about helmets? Motorcycle helmets require a fairly good fit so they'd need a stack of them to handle all their passengers. And then there's the whole hygiene thing.

Sorry to nitpick, but there's a small error in this article... the original states:
If you find yourself in Paris and need a taxi to move around the city without luggage, think of City Bird's Electri-City service.
Surely you meant to say:
If you find yourself in Paris and need a taxi to move around the city without luggage and don't mind handing your life over to a total stranger who probably hates you and has less regard for safety than Evil Knievel did, think of City Bird's Electri-City service.

I'm from the UK, so used to travelling at speed. I'm also used to travelling down small lanes and through narrow streets. However, Parisians take the excessive speed of the UK drivers on motorways (think approx 100mph) and drive in that fashion down Paris' quaint streets.

In my last few working weeks in Paris I've finally managed to keep my eyes open during the whole taxi ride... next time I go, I'll be working on getting the nervous sweating under control!

If you're a registered customer, they'll know your size. If not, you specify at reservation time.

Each helmet is cleaned beforehand, and each helmet has a sanitized pad to protect you from bacteria.

They also offer two types of helmets, a jet for inside Paris, and a flip up for faster trips like to the airport.

Any helmet is equipped with a communication device so you can talk to the rider...

Nothing like a nice warm helmet off an unbathed frenchman. I'll walk.

Most of the motorcycle/scooter taxi services are manned by motorcycle police officers, either retired or off duty.

To apply, you need to fulfill stringent tests, not just have a license. But Fishd is quite right to point out the way other scooter riders behave, especially the courrier services. But having taken the taxi service several times, they ride the way they should, properly.

I've never rode or driven a motorcycle. I would worry about picking up a guy who would squirm and mess up the balance of the thing. Or is that a real concern? I guess the speed balances it out, since it's easier to keep a fast bike upright than a slow one....

> or cycle

Possibly using the bike rental scheme previously covered:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10/more_on_the_vel.php

@Fishd says: "If you're a registered customer, they'll know your size. If not, you specify at reservation time."

Thanks for the answer. It sounds like they thought of everything.

First ,sorry for my bad english
i'm a "moto-taxi"driver in Paris,for the city-bird company and i'm quite shocked by all these terrific comments!
WE NEVER KILLED SOMEBODY!
We have 5 years,53677 travels,our insurance company love us!
We are not "amateurs",we are very good and safe drivers,we love our job.
Please,read the customers comments on our website: www.city-bird.com
We have 2 sizes of helmets,cleaned and changed towels each travel!
You know what? Carla Bruni love us!
And don't forget this:if you don't ride 2 wheels in Paris,you go directly to the nervous breakdown...

That has to be one of the most adorable retorts I've ever read in the history of Web 2.0. I want to go to Paris just to shake this guy's hand and then tell him I still don't want to ride on his scooter.