Folks in Soho, Chelsea, and Union Square recently participated in a four day bike-sharing pilot produced by the Forum for Urban Design, Storefront for Art and Architecture, and City Bakery. The pilot took place from July 10-14 and was exciting for many New Yorkers who have been patiently waiting for the implementation of a bike-sharing program in our city.

When it comes to bikes, we’re way behind Paris, where Velib bikes are celebrating their one year anniversary. It’s a win-win scenario: Parisians now have access to thousands of bicycles for a nominal cost, while the city can depend on a steady flow of income from advertisers who are responsible for maintaining and replacing stolen bikes.

This is the second bike-sharing event the Forum for Urban Design has put together to demonstrate what a bike-share program might look like in our city. Rather than being perceived as a bike rental operation, the Forum would like people to feel free to use the bikes for short trips in and around their neighborhoods. Imagine using a bike the way you do the subway!

Thankfully, it looks like the city is listening. New York’s Department of Transportation released a Request for Expressions of Interest last week. They are seeking proposals for a bike-sharing program similar to Velib in Paris—one that would double the number of riders in the city.