To encourage the use of bicycles, the Buenos Aires city government this month made about 100 two-wheelers available to anyone interested. Free of charge, riders can take a bike, helmet and lock from any of three parking areas in the downtown area, simply by showing their identity card and proof of home address. They can use the bike for two hours at a time.

The project “will help put the issue on the agenda,” but because it is a “very small” pilot effort, it runs the risk of failure, Néstor Sebastián, president of the Urban Cyclists Association, told Tierramérica.

The government plans to expand the supply to 500 bicycles, regulate bike-parking areas, and set aside more bike routes. So far there are about 40 kilometers — the goal is to reach 100 km.

According to the Association, seven to 10 percent of trips in the city are made by bicycle, which helps ease traffic and reduces pollution.