The urban mess that our cities have become, have prompted many people across US to revert to the age old mode of transport- bicycle. Picture this: It might not take long to reach your office in the car but the reason you get late every day is because of parking. I’m sure majority of you who read this will agree. So why not park your car at a convenient distance and reach your office on a bicycle. In a deal with leading advertising company Clear Channel Outdoor, Washington DC will become the first in US to start bicycle sharing program. Over 120 bicycles will be available for use at a nominal fee at about 10 locations across the city this spring. Various details about the program are yet to be announced but if everything goes planned, people across the city will surely race up the long traffic jams on their bicycles. The concept ‘Velib’ is already a hit in major European cities where traffic congestion had become a major problem and people were looking for more environmentally friendly ideas. Soon major American cities like San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Portland, Oregon, will install various bicycle sharing stations. 
Bike sharing is quite an old program but the reason that held it from becoming a success in urban areas was theft and vandalism. The bicycles this time will be sturdy enough to adapt people of different heights, have small front wheel for easy maneuvering, automatic light for the night and are different enough to discourage theft. Also introduction of docking stations which will open with only special cards for members and encouraging them to wear helmets along with optional safety course might overcome fears about urban cycling. In European cities the cost of operation for such a program was earned through advertising at bus shelters and other ‘outdoor furniture’, but in US if the cities fund it like other public transport systems. Leading the world ahead on a bicycle; one might laugh at such a thought in today’s super sonic context but if our city roads be congested the way they are soon this is going to become a reality and why not after nothing comes before saving our environment. Via: Metaefficient
