There's a new thing, or at least it was new(July, 07'), that in France they have a new cycling program, that allowed you to rent a bicycle by just scanning your credit card. I think it's a splendid Idea, but isn't hitting the states soon because, we are so spread apart!!! And the crime rate here compared to France is probably different. We'd have to put them in large cities, and large cities here aren't too safe.
The Link is located
Here