New Year Brings Bike Friendly Initiatives To San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- San Francisco is welcoming the new year with several initiatives aimed at encouraging people to trade their cars for communal bicycles.

The city recently secured funding for a regional bike-sharing program supporters say is the first of its kind in the nation.

The pilot program is a partnership between the city and local agencies as far south as San Jose. It will offer 1,000 bikes and 100 kiosk stations around the Bay area.

The parks commission is also considering a plan to install privately run bike-share stations at some of San Francisco's most popular tourist destinations.

San Francisco is the latest major U.S. city to embrace the bike-share craze that originated in Europe. Supporters say it's a natural fit for the green, health-conscious city.

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