Portland, Oregon had a similar service in 90s. Painted yellow bicycles have been scattered along Downtown sidewalks free and available to anyone who needs one. Unfortunately, it was unsustainable due to theft and vandalism of the bicycles.

What is it about American cities that make things like this fail? Why do free bikes get stolen in the US, but not in France?

(I'm an American, and I wonder why we have so much petty crime here but not in, say, Tokyo.)

A culture that prizes freedom over community breeds alot of action for the sake of it. You know, the whole "because fuck it, that's why" mentality.

Additionally, Tokyo, as a populace, is much more collective and like-minded. A hive-mind, to be more blunt and offensive. Individual actions are taken in context of the whole rather than analyzed by itself. Thus, there is just about only bowing as a greeting there; whereas in the US, there's your choice of fist-bumps, high-fives, daps, pounds, pound-hugs, skins, or variations thereof. It's even distinctive by region or even state and city, or RACE.

So, because fuck it, that's why.

The article mentions quite a few thefts in Paris, too.

I read that some cities had problems with too many bikes ending up at a select few stations. For instance, you'd bike to the shopping center and then take your groceries home via train or bus. Have you noticed this problem happening in Copenhagen johnnyzee?

I haven't noticed or heard complaints about it. They have teams of people taking care of the fleet in exchange for unemployment benefits, I believe this includes redistributing once in a while.

Also, when I was there, it seemed like mostly tourists using the free bikes. Most residents have their own bikes they use. usually a few from what i hear.