From: The Grist

by Jonathan Hiskes 22 Apr 2010 2:48 PM

Denver today launches the nation's largest bike-sharing program, distributing 500 bicycles at 50 stations around the city for citizens to use wherever they find them. The B-cycle program mirrors bike-sharing networks in Paris and Montreal, and it'll be followed soon by networks in Boston and Minneapolis. Oh, and Mexico City too, which is launching a 1,114-bike program.

The hope is that people can leave their car at home, take light rail or a bus into the city, and use the bikes to zip around.

Participants can sign up at denver.bcycle.com, where they pay membership and usage fees. A 24-hour membership is $5; seven-day is $20; 30-day is $30; and an annual membership costs $65, with discounts for students and seniors. Rides shorter than 30 minutes are free, and usage fees begin at $1.10 and run up to $65 for a full day (which seems a little stiff), according to The Denver Post.

A nifty feature: The network has a GPS tracking system that lets users see where and how far they biked and also locate nearby bikes.

The project doesn't use local tax dollars -- it'll run off user fees and a $210,000 federal stimulus grant.

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