An article in Journal of Public Transportation examines the potential success of smart bike programs in the United States.
Bicycle-sharing programs have received increasing attention in recent years withinitiatives to increase bike usage, better meet the demand of a more mobile public,and lessen the environmental impacts of our transportation activities. In 1996, thesmart bike, or automated bike rental system, was first implemented in the UnitedKingdom, leading to a growing number of programs throughout Europe and Asia.However, there are presently no such programs in the United States. This articleexamines the potential success of smart bike programs in the United States.
Among the conclusions: "Biking, and smart bikes in particular, are not suitable for all people or every Americancity. Suitable locations include urban areas with more compact downtowns,university campuses, and dense neighborhoods with a concentration of youngerpeople. Organizations wanting to implement smart bike programs in the UnitedStates must examine the characteristics of their city and its people to determinesmart bikes appropriateness. The authors believe there are many American citieswhere smart bikes would likely succeed."
The paper is authored by Paul DeMaio, Traffic Calming Coordinator for the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services in Virginia, and Jonathan Gifford, George Mason University.
[Editor's note: The link below is to an approximately 500K PDF.]
Thanks to Paul DeMaio
FULL STORY: Will 'Smart Bikes' Succeed as Public Transportation in the U.S.?

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service