Could a bike rental scheme similar to the one in Paris work in Seattle?

Read the story: JCDecaux and Clear Channel Outdoor battle over urban bike-schemes.

Vélib' (for vélo, or bicycle, and liberté, or freedom) has since taken Paris by storm. More than 10,000 bikes have been installed at 750 docking stations, which is half of the scheme's eventual capacity, says Jean-Fran�ois Decaux, the son of the founder and co-chief executive of the family-controlled firm along with his brother, Jean-Charles. The bicycles have been used by 4m people so far, who have clocked up 100,000 rides a day. Last week Jean-Fran�ois was in Moscow for talks with the mayor, who is keen to introduce a similar scheme there. The mayor of Chicago also expressed interest in importing V�lib' during a recent visit to Paris.

Pretty exciting stuff. I have no idea if such a scheme could work in such a hilly city as Seattle. Any ideas?

Comments

[keith]

As an intermittent biker, resident of the fairly steep Capitol Hill, former denizen of the rather flat Denver, and recent visitor to Barcelona (where I yearned to use a borrowed bike), I have to say that I doubt the wonderful concept of shared bikes would work here. I think the topography of the city, the weather, and the lack of an extensive bike-friendly infrastructure (such as Denver's miles and miles of paved paths) are too much for the uncommitted cyclist to overcome. I'd love to see it happen but believe a flatter and drier locale would be the right place to do a pilot program.