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The City of Chicago has issued a “request for proposals” for a plan to provide 3,000 bicycles and 300 stations for bike sharing by next summer.\n<\/p>\n\nThe City of Chicago has issued a “request for proposals” for a plan to provide 3,000 bicycles and 300 stations for bike sharing by next summer.\n<\/p>\n
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\nBy issuing the proposal, Chicago joins New York City as the latest major American metropolis exploring a bike sharing program.\n<\/p>\n
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\nUnder guideline from the city, bike rentals would be free for the first 30 minutes with graduated fees put in place for longer rides. Annual memberships would also be made available for unlimited or discounted use.\n<\/p>\n
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\nLike New York, Chicago has seen a boom in cycling in recent years. The amount of bikers riding on city streets has nearly doubled over the past decade.\n<\/p>\n
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\nAfter the program launches in 2012, the city hopes to expand it to 5,000 bikes and 500 stations by 2014.\n<\/p>\n
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\nSource: Chicago Sun Times<\/a><\/em>\n<\/p>\n