And smart boys, of course.
SmartBikeDC has officially arrived in the Capitol. Clear Channel Outdoor collaborated with the District Dept. of Transportation (Ddot) to set up
ten bike rack locations throughout the city.

The program exists in multiple European cities, but this is the first of its kind in the US. Anyone over 18 who wishes to use the bikes signs up online (
SmartBikeDC.com) and pays a yearly membership fee of $40. You get an access card which can be used to unlock a bike from any of the racks in the city at any time -- as long as there is one on the rack. Clear Channel has a team that "redistributes" bikes between racks so there are always some available and always some empty spots on each rack to park a bike...at least that's their plan. But you can
check online at any time to see how many bikes and empty slots are on each rack.

Bikes can be rented for up to three hours, after which you are supposed to return it to a rack. However, if there is another bike available you're allowed to rent it out immediately after you return the first one. If you don't return a bike within 24 hours, you'll receive a bill for $550.
This is a great program. For $40 a year, having access to a good bike pretty much whenever you want it is a deal. If enough people sign up, maybe they'll even add more racks throughout the city. However, if you want to spend time with the bike away from a rack, bring your own lock. Because the bikes use special locking mechanisms to attach to the custom racks, there is no way to secure the bike to a pole outside a shop or the railing near your friend's house.
Oh, and for safety's sake, wear a helmet.