Life in the Fast Lane

Maybe it's just the novelty of weaving around cars stuck in traffic jams, but the Parisian motorcycle taxi certainly seems to be the most fashionable way to commute around town these days. The two-wheeled wonders shave precious minutes from journey times, and at least four different companies (Citybird, Motojet, PLD

and Hégé Service) scoot around the French capital. Clients are equipped with rain gear and helmets, and Citybird and Hégé Service customers get inbuilt two-way radios. A carry-on suitcase and two laptop-sized bags can be secured to the back of the bikes.

Journeys within Paris will set you back $24 to $38, and trips to the city's outlying Orly and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airports range from $54 to $84. "We may be a little more expensive than traditional taxis," concedes Cyril Masson, head of Citybird, "but we save our clients so much time, it's worth it." Just ask the executives from Hermès and Veuve Clicquot, or the celebrities and politicians who have been spotted on sleek Suzuki Burgman 650s or mighty Honda Goldwing 1800s, and they'll probably agree — there's nothing like going fast and looking cool at the same time. Citybird: tel: (33-1) 72 03 02 94, www.city-bird.com; Motojet: tel: (33-1) 40 27 09 09, www.moto-jet.com; PLD: tel: (33-6) 60 35 27 48, www.pld92.com; Hégé Service: tel: (33-1) 40 92 86 50, www.hege-service.fr