Citywide bike share program kicks off in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- A new bike share program has popped up in Santa Monica, and it is also the first of its kind in Southern California.

The ribbon cutting for Breeze Bike Share happened Thursday morning, with 500 bikes spread out in 75 stations all over the city.

Resident Brandi Lockhart has worked in the city for two years and said she is excited to try out the bikes.

"I haven't been on a bike in 15 years, but once I saw this I thought, 'Oh, this is my chance to get back into bike riding,'" she said.

The bikes are free until 10 p.m. Thursday, then they will be $6 an hour starting Friday. Bike share customers can choose an option to have a monthly or yearly membership, which allows riders to enter a four-digit code to unlock a bike.

Customers can also reserve a bike through the Social Bicycles mobile app. To end a ride, just return the bike to a Breeze station, lock it up and you're done.

Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown is encouraging other cities to hop on the program.

"We should all be on bikes. It's good for the environment, it's good for us and it's fun," he said.

To learn more about the bike share program, check out santamonicabikeshare.com.