Bike Sharing Comes to America

A new bicycle sharing program in Washington DC provides subscribers with convenient, green rides. An annual $40 membership fee entitles SmartBike DC subscribers access to three hour blocks of emissions-free travel. Bikes are obtained by card-swipe at self-service rental kiosks located throughout the central business district and returns are monitored by an electronic system. Similar programs have been successful in Europe; this is the first program of its kind in the United States. --D.W. Sou