Just in time for US tourists to keep Bike Month rolling while abroad, comes this bit of info about a new bike rental system in London, OYBike, that operates sort of like Zip Car, only without the fossil fuels. Unlike other cities’ catch-and-release “Yellow Bike” programs, OYBikes’ mustard-colored rides are yours until you decide to return them, for a small fee. Bikes are available anytime at 28 locations throughout the city, such as Tube stations and major public buildings, and are rented by calling a hotline that sends a code to your mobile that will unlock the bike. The rates are more than reasonable, from £0.80 for a half-hour, to £8.00 for a full day, but membership is required before you can rent. Slightly simpler in its implementation, and decidedly more techy, Lyon, France’s Velo’V program uses value-added cards to rent one of its 1,500 bikes, and the electronic locking stations can not only check to see if your vélo is in sound condition before releasing it, but will tell you where to find a free bike, if there are none available at your current location. (via Treehugger)