LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles announced Wednesday it would launch a bike-share program in July, following in the footsteps of other cities across the country.
Mayor Eric Garcetti said that starting July 7, nearly 1,000 bicycles would be placed in the downtown area for short-term rentals by commuters in the most traffic-clogged city in the United States.
“Residents and visitors from around the world can … check out a bike and see downtown LA with a fast, fun and affordable system,” Garcetti said.
The program will initially be made available at 65 locations in the downtown area — including Chinatown, Union Station and city hall — many of them close to metro stations and bus stops to allow easier access for commuters.
Initial access will be granted to people who have metro fare cards and the general public will be able to use the bikes starting August 1.
Bike-sharing programs are becoming increasingly popular across the United States with more than 30 cities introducing them in recent years.
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