As oil prices soar, for-hire bikes make US debut

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — With oil prices sky-high, bikes for hire have finally rolled into the United States looking for riders in the US capital, as they have with success in Paris, Lyon and Barcelona.

In the next few months, the US federal capital, Washington DC, will be the first city in the United States to have a two-wheeled transport solution unveiled under its nose.

A rival of Jean-Claude Decaux, whose Velib are popular on Paris streets, Clear Channel Outdoor is bringing the biking scheme stateside. The US company also hopes to branch out into other US cities soon such as Minneapolis, Albuquerque and Portland, Oregon.

The city government here gave the green light for Smartbike, starting on a small scale: with about 100 bikes and 10 parking locations where...