Bicing: (Almost) Free Cycling in Barcelona, Spain | Back in the 1960s there was a hippy experiment. White bicycles were left around for anyone to use. The idea was that you would ride the bike to your destination and then leave it for the next person. It was very utopian, but unfortunately there were two problems: One, most people weren't honest hippies and Two, a can of paint was a lot cheaper than a bike. The White Bicycles soon disappeared.

Back in the future, Bicing is a city supported company operating in Barcelona, Spain. The idea is the same: cheap or free public bicycles, but the tech is bang up to date. It launched a few weeks ago and already has 3000 people signed up. So yesterday when the sun was shining I went to take a look and snap some pics.

It works like this: You pay €6 per year ($8) and for that you get a card (which comes by post, so they know where you live).

You then take the card to any of the Bike Stations around the city (just ten so far, but more on that in a moment). You swipe the card, tap in a PIN and it unlocks a bike for you. All the bays are numbered and the number for your ride pops up on a screen and you go pull it out.

If you look at the photo, you'll see the carrier on the front of the bike. That has two nubbins underneath which lock into the railing.

When you reach your destination you lock it back into the nearest station. That's it. The service is free for up to 30 minutes at a time and …

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