There is a growing trend of public bikes in large cities here in Europe -- we already have them in Paris and Lyon. Just to one-up us, the city of Montreal will launch a killer pilot public bike program, The Public Bike System, in September. Montreal's program is not only web- and RFID-enabled, so that patrons can see the current availability of bikes at various depots, but features a solar-power based station that processes credit or member cards. I am assuming they store energy so that the intrepid folks who want to rent a bike after nightfall can do so.
An artist rendering of the new green bike system for Montreal:
Paris Velib:
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