It’s been awhile since the last entry in this very occassional series. We love D.C., but we know it’s not perfect. Is there something you think we’re missing? Let us know.

Official Washington likes to think that it is bicycle-friendly. But we often hear a different story, involving dodging bricks, menacing drivers, annoying registrations, and brazen theives. For all but the most hardcore cyclists among us, the thought of negotiating D.C.’s streets on two wheels is harrowing, which is a shame. Washington is blessed with compact development, historic neighborhoods, and beautiful scenery which may be a bit spread out to enjoy on foot, but is easily covered by bike. Many who would love to tour the miles between Arlington Cemetary and the Capitol and beyond on two wheels are relegated to tour busses and Metro, which both limits their mobility and annoys the hell out of commuters. So, in the spirit of the upcoming Bike to Work Day on May 18, we pass on a solution from across the pond: municipal bikes.

In Paris, city officials have long wrestled with similar issues: Thousands of sightseers filling the roads with cars (and the air with exhaust) while attempting to visit its many historic sites. In response, the Parisian goverment is launching an effort this summer to provide cheap rental bikes. Lots of them.

Photo by Flickr user edwardaggie98.