PARIS — The United States' third-largest city, Chicago, may soon adopt a rent-a-bike scheme similar to the one launched this summer in Paris, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said during a recent trip to the French capital.
The mayor, himself a cyclist, said he was "greatly impressed" with the Paris network of self-service bicycles, which has clocked up more than 3.7 million rides since its launch in mid-July.
Following talks with his Paris counterpart Bertrand Delanoe, Daley says Chicago may launch a similar system "very shortly," though he did say his city of 3 million people is less "cycle-compatible" than Paris. He also pointed out that JC Decaux, advertising giant that covers the cost of the Paris venture in exchange for exclusive rights to 1,600 advertising locations across the city, already operates a network of billboards in Chicago.
The "Velib" scheme in Paris has 10,000 bicycles at 750 hire points dotted around Paris, with plans for 20,000 bikes at 1,400 hire points by year end.
