Thursday afternoon, mid-December. Minus two degrees, windy, and within minutes the rain will start to fall. Transport and traffic - somehow an omnium-gatherum. Everything and everybody is out on the move.

(Image: Louisa Reichstetter)(Image: Louisa Reichstetter)

Bike paths are on the increase, but you can spot wheelchair paths too (pictured, Gare de l'est)Bike paths are on the increase, but you can spot wheelchair paths too (pictured, Gare de l’est) | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

... for those who are afraid to face the cold and the danger… for those who are afraid to face the cold and the danger | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

Sobre reminders: '556 cyclists died in 2008'Sobre reminders: ‘556 cyclists died in 2008’ | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

The Vélib is free to use for the first thirty minutes, so sometimes people wait for them to be unlocked again during the after-work rush hourThe Vélib is free to use for the first thirty minutes, so sometimes people wait for them to be unlocked again during the after-work rush hour | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

Pedestrians scoot away on small wheelsPedestrians scoot away on small wheels | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

Posh Parisian dogs even avoid walkingPosh Parisian dogs even avoid walking | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

Not everyone is on the move. The metro's homeless freeze in the doorways ...Not everyone is on the move. The metro’s homeless freeze in the doorways … | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

...above the metro ways on ventilation grids, fingers are bitten to combat the cold, eyes following those scurrying past…above the metro ways on ventilation grids, fingers are bitten to combat the cold, eyes following those scurrying past | ©Louisa Reichstetter

Around 4.5 million gush through Paris on the public transport everydayAround 4.5 million gush through Paris on the public transport everyday | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

Doors slide open, hundreds climb out, hundreds climb in. Silence ensues for the next three minutesDoors slide open, hundreds climb out, hundreds climb in. Silence ensues for the next three minutes | (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)

…until the next metro appears out of the darkness.

| (Image: ©Louisa Reichstetter)