Conceptually, the system appears to be very similar to the Social Bicycles model that we wrote about earlier this summer as part of our Insert Coin series, though that US-based prototype includes a u-style lock, for securing the bike to a post or tree.

ENGADGET: NTT DoCoMo Shared Bicycle Initiative hands-on (video)

Bloomberg Rankings has released a list of bike-to-work rates in 25 major U.S. cities and Portland, Ore.

FORBES: 5.44% of Portland Workers Bike to Work

This week at the New York International Motorcycle Show Ducati also unveiled the 848 Evo Corse Special Edition for the first time ever in the U.S. The bike has Ducati-developed electronics like traction control and quick-shifter features, with the trademark Trellis frame, precision shock absorbers and high-end disc brakes.

FORBES: Ducati Up 43 Percent As North America Becomes Its Top Market

Montgomery hopes that this bike, among Scott's other two-wheelers, will help him engineer a U.S. comeback.

FORBES: Spinning Wheels

In the U.S., anti-car work is mostly the province of bike activists, but as the true cost of driving increases, that could change.

FORBES: In Eco-Effort, Europe Aims To Tax Drivers