|
 |
 |
Washington DC metro living
If you live in Washington DC homes, or you commute to the city, there is a program that the District is offering that will be beneficial to all residents and commuters in the Washington DC metro area. Washington DC home owners and renters will be happy to know that the city is attempting to alleviate traffic with the Smartbike DC program. SmartBike DC is the first program of its kind in the District, it is a self service public bike rental program that will allow its subscribers to rent a bike from 6:00 am to 10 Pm Monday through Sunday. These bike stations are facilitated with the latest technology in there rental kiosk and there secure parking bike racks. These 24 hour self serving bike rental establishments are located on Washington, DC real estate that surrounds the central business district. These rental bike stations are currently located by the metro rail or bus stops of Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, Reeves Center, Shaw, Foggy Bottom, Gallery Place, Farragut Square, Metro Center, Judiciary Square, and McPherson Square.
This program was pioneered by Clear Channel Outdoor. They began this program in Rennes France in 1998, it did not take long for it to expand to Scandinavia, and Spain. One of the reasons for this programs popularity is that it helps fight congestion on the roads, and at the same time reduces pollution.
How do you become and use these SmartBikes?
- You must register online for an annual subscription which roughly costs $40.00 per year
- You must be at least 18 years of age to register for this program
- You will then receive a personal SmartBike DC user card, this gives you access to all bikes at any station.
- To rent a bike
- Go to any of the SmartBike DC stations
- Wave your card in front of the card reader
- Then follow the instructions
- A bike will then be assigned to you. You have thirty seconds to remove the assigned bike from its space. If you take longer then that the bike will be relocked and you will need to begin all over.
- To return a bike
- Go to any of the available spots at a smartbike station
- Insert bike into docking station
- Once green light switches from flashing to solid the bike is locked in
- Once you see a steady red light it has been confirmed that you have returned your rental bike.
- If the bike has been damaged, lost, stolen, or if you do not return it within the 24 hour rental period, you will be charged a $550 fee.
- One last fact about this program is that they do not provide bike locks and since you are responsible for he bike it is recommended that you bring your own lock.
Web Site Design © 2007 IMC, Articles by TheMarylandRealEstateExpert.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
