Palo Alto - Palo Alto is thinking about investing in a bicycle loaner program. It's like a library -- but for bikes.
The city is considering investing $65,000 to try the idea out with 20 bikes.
Users would buy a card that gives access to an electronically-controlled bike shed somewhere in downtown Palo Alto. They would just need to swipe the card to rent a bike for several hours before returning it.
It's an idea that's been successful in other cities, most notably Paris.
However, experts say there's just one catch: Statistically, roughly a third of the city's bicycle fleet will be stolen each year, and another third will be vandalized.
Council members plan to take the idea up again in the fall.
