Urban bike sharing ala the kind that’s been implemented in Europe over the last few years is coming to a US city near you! Washington D.C. will be the first city to implement the two-wheeled transportation SmartBike DC program this May, in conjunction with Clear Channel Outdoor and the District Department of Transportation. Other cities, including Chicago and San Francisco, are working toward instituting similar bike sharing programs in the near future.

Bike sharing is a great alternative to cars and overcrowded public transport. Urban dwellers and tourists alike will now be able to enjoy low-cost access to bicycles within the city - no pollution, no congestion, it’s cheap, and you get a little exercise out of it! For those unfamiliar with the concept of bike sharing, one of the major differences between sharing and renting is that sharing operates as a self-service model with automated payment kiosks - no attendants, and it’s geared toward short-term use.

According to MSNBC.com, 100 bikes will be available to DC riders at 10 different locations for a small fee. Corporations like Clear Channel have stepped in to help cities by supplementing funding for the program in exchange for this small user fee, or in return for advertising rights on city buses and benches. and learn more about SmartBike DC, and how you can bring biking sharing to your city.