Looking to take a weekend bike ride but don't have the bike? Looking to find a way to avoid jumping in the car and fighting the traffic by riding a bike to meet-up with friends across town (or down the street) but you're still lacking a set of wheels?

DDOT is considering an automated bicycle rental system in DC in partnership with Clear Channel. Similar to car sharing, the system would allow members to swipe a card and release a bike from a kiosk (DDOT says to think of it as kind of like an airport luggage carts -- but better).

According to DDOT, Clear Channel is operating similar systems in Europe, and this would become the first of its kind in the Northeast U.S.

DDOT is requesting that residents take a short survey to solicit locations for the rental kiosks (several possibilities are in Ward 6). The proposed contract will allow for 120 bikes at 10 kiosks. Officials cite research and experience indicating that the kiosks should be located near each other, and they are limiting the system to the greater downtown area. DDOT has shared these other items to consider regarding locations:

- Locks will not be provided by the system, so cyclists can only park the smartbikes kiosks
- Because of the web-based registration and member card requirement, the system is not geared toward tourists
- Each kiosk is roughly 30 feet by 6 feet, considerable space, but we will scope out the exact site
- Locations with lots of jobs, housing, retail, major attractions, and nearby bike facilities are obviously best.

DDOT has reviewed census data, discussed locations internally and at at the bicycle advisory council meeting, and have some initial ideas, but they want to include as much public input as possible. Please take a minute to respond to the survey at this link. It's only 3 questions!

Let us know where you'd like to see a bicycle rental kiosk in your neighborhood! There's only going to be 10 in the first round, so make you speak up and help select the locations you want. If you've got any questions about this program, please contact Jim Sebastian, DDOT's Bicycle Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Readers have left 13 comments.

(1) Untitled
2007-06-13 16:19:11

This is great news!

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Written by Kyle Walton ()

(2) Untitled
2007-06-14 09:21:41

Even better news for bicycle theives. My cars and motorcycles get stolen more frequently than the seasons change in DC. The police have zero interest in investigating thefts, The only thing this is going to do is give a bunch of bicycles to hoods. Nice idea .. I'm sure it would work in world-class cities like Vancouver or Amsterdam, but until someone figures out a way to make Americans play nice, it's just going to be frustrating for people who would like to rent bicycles and wasteful for the people investing in it. The donors are better off heading down to SE (where my cars and motorcycles always end up) and handing out money.

Written by Guest User ()

(3) Untitled
2007-06-19 09:47:55

Ah cynicism, the best cure for everything. Bravo!

I too feel that shiny objects attract too much attention from those who are out to do mischief. However, I still applaud the sentiment and the effort to make the city a 'world-class' environment. I think that's better than just projecting one's own misfortune onto something that could be really great.

Written by Guest User ()

(4) Untitled
2007-07-21 17:04:44

it is a great idea, and no great idea would ever move forward if the generators always focused on the obstacles to success.

Written by Guest User ()

(5) Untitled
2007-07-23 19:10:20

It's an interesting idea that will work even better if major cities pool resources and allow travelers to use their local accounts out-of-town. I'd also, for selfish reasons, like to see true comfort bikes available for rent, like Townies, with the forward pedal geometry for people with bad knees.

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Written by occasional visitor ()

(6) Untitled
2007-08-10 13:20:05

I love this idea. These bikes were all over Paris when we were there this summer.

Written by Guest User ()

(7) Untitled
2007-09-10 16:42:35

Rental Bicycles in a major city like Washington D.C. would work even better if D.C. makes bicycle safety a top priority. By this, I suggest DC put all of its street on a road diet. Eliminate on-street parking by turning those parking lanes into bike lanes with bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking or blocking the bicycle lanes. Then all bicyclists would feel much safer bicycling through the city and they would not be inconvenienced by inconsiderate or irate motorists. Bicycle lanes would also make pedestrians feel safer walking by on the sidewalks. Plus, it would make the city more attractive to diners and tourists.

Written by Jesse ()

(8) Untitled
2007-09-10 23:15:51

Ok, so why would they be stolen? They are secured in a locked device and released by people who have previously signed up, like Flexcar. If they disappear under your watch they charge the renter. At what point in this process do you think they would be stolen ... ?

\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ' title='Click to send email'>Written by Rob ()

(9) Untitled
2007-09-12 15:21:28

I think it's a great idea especially for people who toake the metro as their primary source of transportation. On those hot summer days, they can grab a bike to get where they need to go. For THOSE who think the bikes are just something else for "Hoods from SE" to steal, kids, who are usually stealing the cars, don't want to steal bikes, they want to steal cars. I doubt very seriously a thief would steal a bike quicker than a car. Besides, in order to get the bike, you have to pay for it and I dont think a thief wants to pay for a bike ride. That defeats the purpose of stealing it. TO the writer who made that comment, you said cars and motorcycles as in plural, which means more than 1. Whose to say you're not paying a "SE hood" to steal your precious merchandise so you can collect insurance money? Funny how your vehicles ALWAYS end up in SE.

Written by Guest User ()

(10) Untitled
2007-10-31 16:54:57

Perfect! The only way to change things is to try. I've been advocating bike racks at metro stations. Both of these would be great.

Written by Guest User ()

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