LA Mayor Announces 'Bikeshare' Initiative At CicLAvia Festival

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled what he called a "major bicycle initiative" for city residents at the start of Sunday's fourth CicLAvia festival.

The 10-mile event kicked off downtown with the mayor announcing a "bikeshare" program, funded by Bike Nation.

"I'm proud to announce that Bike Nation will be investing $16 million to bring a private, bikeshare program to LA," the mayor said.

The private venture will operate 400 kiosks with a fleet of 4,000 bicycles at Venice Beach, Hollywood, Westwood and other civic centers in Los Angeles, KNX 1070's Vytas Safroncikas reported.

The first 30 minutes of use will be free with fees for riding charged after that limit.

Fees will decrease in cost over longer periods.

"This is the city known for its addiction to the single passenger automobile but we're gonna start getting addicted to a bike," Villaraigosa added.

CicLAvia closed streets between the eastern edge of Hollywood and the Westlake and Pico-Union districts, primarily along New Hampshire Avenue and 7th Street. At Figueroa and 7th streets downtown, the closure forked north to Chinatown, east to Boyle Heights, and south to "jazz row" on Central Avenue.

The event, which is in its fourth year, is now held twice a year due to its overwhelming attendance.

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