Photo by Sommer Mathis

We just ran into District Department of Transportation’s Manager for Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transportation Demand Management Programs, Jim Sebastian, at the corner of R Street and Rhode Island Ave. NW, on his way to a meeting on one of the new SmartBikes we’ve been eagerly anticipating. Doesn’t Jim look sporty? While he was test driving one of the bikes, which have smaller front wheels than standard bikes, Sebastian told us that the nation’s first bicycle sharing program, SmartBike DC, should be fully operational in early June.

The subscription form on the SmartBike web site still isn’t up and running, but it should be in the next two weeks. Shared bicycles will be available to rent for a $40 annual subscription fee between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week. You can find out more about the program over here. Think you’ll sign up?