Despite mass transit systems being the most readily-accessible and popular form of transportation, biking is slowly becoming a staple in virtually every metropolitan center worldwide. Particularly in densely populated cities, riding a bicycle has become a necessity. With benefits including allowing individuals to avoid stuffed, rush-hour subway commutes, not to mention contributing to a greener world by decreasing pollution, many businesses have now teamed with city councils to form bicycle share services where one can rent bikes from convenient, self-serve outdoor kiosks.

As the stress of having an expensive bike stolen can often deter bike-enthusiasts from forking out hundreds to own, share services offer the advantage of having access to a bike any time of day for short trips, without the hassle of needing to store it or take it home. And besides, with the summer weather inspiring people to spend more time outdoors, these temporary rentals offer an inexpensive option for both tourists and locals to see the sights. With Europe starting the breakthrough with bike share services p(opping up in Barcelona, Paris, and Brussels), now the U.S is following suit with shares in NYC and DC. Here is psychoPEDIA’s guide to bike shares around the world:

Velib, Paris
Biking through Paris is a great way for travelers to discover treasures typically unnoticed by standard tourist routes. Easier to maneuver around the city’s narrow, cobble-stoned streets, Parisians can also cycle to avoid the stress of sandwich-style car parking and take Vélib– a year-old bike share service with 750 stations in Paris. Bikes can be picked up from a locked rack with payment of 1 Euro for each half-hour ride, and can be returned to any of the many stations around the city. Weekly and monthly passes are also available at the same rate for frequent cyclists. Although, don’t expect to cross border to Belgium or Germany on a joy ride, or you’ll set off the built-in alarm.

Bicing, Barcelona
Cycling through Barcelona is a convenient way to see the artistically-influenced history of the city’s landmarks like Antonio Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and La Pedrera. Although you don’t have to be a tourist seeing the sights to use their bike-share, Bicing-– as it’s also popular amongst the locals. Set up similarly to Paris’ Vélib, Bicing has self-serve stations all over the city, accepting only credit card payment. Each ride costs a mere 30 cents for every half hour, with the only downside being that for extended trips, you must renew your ride by picking up a new bike for each session.

Cyclocity, Brussels
The city best known for beer and chocolate now offers the Cyclocity bike-share with which you can use to explore and sample its sweet and savory offerings. You can make guilt-free visits to the breweries and chocolatiers knowing that cycling there will burn off calories, although late-night inebriated rides aren’t recommended. The service is conveniently set up with stations all over downtown, known as the Pentagon. And as with other European bike-shares, the same rules apply. Although Cyclocity has the lowest price of .05 Euros every half hour, or 10 Euros for an entire year subscription, with the only requirement that the user be over fourteen years old.

SmartBike, DC
While DC’s Metro is famous for being one of the cleanest, most easily navigable metropolitan transit systems in the US, the new SmartBikeDC service, created by Clear Channel (the same business behind Barcelona’s Bicing system), offers an above-ground way to experience the nation’s capital. As summer in DC packs a tight calendar of cultural festivities, free concerts, performances, and art exhibitions, you can fully enjoy the city’s outdoor events and scenery by subscribing to Smart Bike DC. With a one-year membership for only $40, you can rent bikes for up to three hours at a time.

Bike & Roll, Governor’s Island NYC
While a typical New York City lifestyle involves plenty of walking, cycling is also a popular mode of transportation not just for its obvious health benefits and cost-effectiveness. Thankfully, between May and October each year, New Yorkers can enjoy biking worry-free at Governors Island, thanks to the new Bike & Roll share service established by the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. Introducing the city’s first free bike-share program, open every weekend starting June 6th and ending October 4th, the service offers adult and children’s bikes Saturdays and Sundays from $5, and free on Fridays. To score a free hour-long bike ride, take the free ferry to Governors Island departing from Battery Maritime Building beginning at 10 am and available every half hour, at the corner of South and Whitehall Streets.


First photo via Inhabitat
Second & third photos via Letsgogirl.com
Fourth photo via Velorution.biz
Sixth photo via Daylife.com