After much anticipation, the SmartBike program has finally debuted in DC.  A collaboration between Clear Channel Outdoor and the District Department of Transportation, SmartBike is being billed as America's first self-service public bike rental program.  With ten locations around the city, members have access to bikes whenever they want them.  Just walk up to a docking station, swipe your membership card, grab a bike and go!  Once you're done, just check the bike back in - no need to haul it to your condo or apartment or worry about locking it up at night.

You can sign up for an annual membership online at SmartBike's website.  Fees are $40 for a year and includes unlimited access to SmartBikes around the city.  To make things even easier, the SmartBike website allows you to check on the availability of bikes at all of their docking stations - no trudging outside just to find that all the bikes are gone.

For casual bike riders looking to get around the city, the SmartBike program is cheaper and easier than buying your own bike, less hassle than hailing a cab, and less crowded than the Metro - seems like a great idea to us!