Thought this was cool

[uzziboy]

Bike-sharing services roll into the U.S.

Creative financing allows cities to expand public transit offerings




City commuters weary of stuffy journeys aboard buses and subways now have a better way to get to work, buy groceries and meet for a Saturday matinee. The bike-sharing programs that have transformed Europeans into two-wheeled travelers are now en route to the U.S.
Clear Channel Outdoor, an outdoor advertising company, will launch the country’s first bike-share service in Washington, D.C., in mid-May in partnership with the district’s Department of Transportation. SmartBike DC will initially offer annual subscribers access to 100 bikes at 10 stations in the city’s central business district. Other cities, including San Francisco and Chicago, are eager to follow suit.

heres the rest of the story

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23869261/

[2wheel_lee]

Although I applaud their effort, I don't think that this will be a sustainable program. We could only hope that it kicks off the idea of bicycling as a valid form of transportation. In Japan, you'll easily see 100+ bikes right outside of any train/subway station or outside of a mall/grocery store. The bikes generally cost about $60-100, and so people don't seem to be overly worried about parking in no bike parking areas (although after a written warning, it costs about $40 to get it out of impound).

I think the key is to just make bike commuting more convenient, so whatever it takes!

[uzziboy]

lee i agree with u most people are so accustom to driving i dont think they could get their fat lazy asses ( and yes i am being slightly sterotypical here i know ) to actually ride a bike, especially to commute let alone just ride for a 1/2 a mile or so

[un-kola]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Although I applaud their effort, I don't think that this will be a sustainable program. We could only hope that it kicks off the idea of bicycling as a valid form of transportation. In Japan, you'll easily see 100+ bikes right outside of any train/subway station or outside of a mall/grocery store. The bikes generally cost about $60-100, and so people don't seem to be overly worried about parking in no bike parking areas (although after a written warning, it costs about $40 to get it out of impound).

I think the key is to just make bike commuting more convenient, so whatever it takes!

Saw the samething in Europe.Had a hard time finding a parking space for my bike,the car was easy! Also,don't hit a biker with a car,you will lose your license for a while.Oh, and cobblestone does rattle your back teeth.- Lloyd

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by un-kola

Also,don't hit a biker with a car,you will lose your license for a while.Oh, and cobblestone does rattle your back teeth.- Lloyd

If a cyclist or pedestrian is hit by a car, I'm told that liability in Japan is almost always put on the driver. Although as a cyclist or a pedestrian, you still have to watch your a$$.

Actually, many stations have large bicycle parking structures nearby for a nominal fee.

I'm not sure why I originally took this photo, but on the right, you can see an outdoor bike parking lot where bike racks are stacked two high.