Will Smart Bikes Succeed as Public Transportation in the United States?

Abstract

Bicycle-sharing programs have received increasing attention in recent years with initiatives to increase bike usage, better meet the demand of a more mobile public, and lessen the environmental impacts of our transportation activities. In 1996, the smart bike, or automated bike rental system, was first implemented in the United Kingdom, leading to a growing number of programs throughout Europe and Asia. However, there are presently no such programs in the United States. This article examines the potential success of smart bike programs in the United States.