European experience provides a robust history of bikesharing planning, implementation, and
operations.
In 1998, the first citywide IT-based system appeared when Clear Channel, a large outdoor
advertising company, launched its first “SmartBike” program in Rennes, France. To access free
bicycles for up to three hours, SmartBike required users to complete a smartcard application.
After 11 years of service, the Rennes system, more commonly known as “Vélo à la Carte,” came
to an end in May 2009. This program has been replaced by “LE vélo STAR,” which operates
with 900 bicycles and 81 stations (14).