Bike Sharing At The DNC

Don't look for a free ride, however--credit cards and fines will be required to ensure that the bicycles stick around Downtown Denver:

The 1968 Democratic National Convention may have had petal power, but the 2008 version in Denver promises to have pedal power.

Healthcare giant Humana is sponsoring a program that will see 1,000 bikes in Denver that can be checked out and used during the convention, scheduled Aug. 25-28. After the convention, some of the bikes will be left behind to kick-start a permanent sharing project.

The idea is simple: Provide an environmentally friendly way for delegates, staff members and even members of the news media to navigate the crush of people expected for the convention. But it's about more than getting people out of their cars.

"That's part of it, but it's more to help with healthy lifestyle and environment," said Humana spokeswoman Anna Hobbs-Little.

The exact details of the program are scheduled to be announced Wednesday afternoon at a press conference featuring Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Dubbed "Freewheelin," the program is being sponsored by Humana in concert with the Boulder-based group Bikes Belong. The bicycles will come from every major manufacturer in the U.S., including Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, Fuji, and Raleigh. And they'll come in a variety of colors.

Even 1000 bikes seems woefully inadequate in the face of the 50000+ delegates, media, and Democratic party groupies--not to mention the protestors.

And speaking of protestors, perhaps they can have a "bicycle built for two" for the rival R-68/everyone else moonbat factions. That would be a sight to see.