A Very Small-Scale Bike Sharing Program in Seattle

"'In West Seattle, the bus service sucks-especially at nights and on weekends,' says Guy Olson, the man behind the bikes. Olson, a regular cyclist, says he co-opted the idea from Portland's Yellow Bike Project (which thrived briefly in the 90's). The idea is to give people a free alternative to buses and taxis in the area, whether from the store or from bars, so they can get home. 'Just grab a bike, ride it until you're done, and try to return it.'"

He's placed about 16 green-painted bikes out for public use, with notes attached imploring people to return them into circulation when they've finished their ride.