public bike sharing is coming to l.a.!

digital rendering of a bike sharing station in l.a. - love the design of the bike.  image by bike nation

a velo'v bike sharing station in lyon, france.

i can't believe it.  i've only heard how the city wants to do this but i didn't think it would be happening this soon.  we just don't have the money for it.  now it is happening thanks to a private company, bike nation.  i just hope the bikes look better than the velib of paris.  unfortunately this is not county-wide, yet.  they are only concentrating on four areas right now: hollywood, westwood, venice, and downtown.  4,ooo bikes.  their rates are similar to other bike sharing systems around the world:  $6 for the day, $1.50 for an hour or $4.50 for 90 minutes. Trips shorter than 30 minutes will be free; one-year passes will run $75.  yes, i know these bike sharing systems also have to worry about theft which is why there is a tracking device built in each bike and a registration fee involved for each bike rider -- just like in other cities that implement this bike sharing system.  even if you just want to ride it for a few hours you have to register first and the registration fee is around $300 (the price of one good bike).

here's the whole story.