Ryan Rzepecki's might be the most affordable way for cities to implement bike sharing networks, .
The Social Bicycles System, or SoBi, allows commuters to “use their smartphones to locate, check out, and lock bikes,” doing away with costly docking stations. Instead, a lock box connected to the rear wheel would keep the bike immobile until a commuter calls in or uses an app to get the unlock code.
The System will be tested in New York City next month with a starter fleet of 20 bicycles.
From the looks of it, you're out of bike commuting luck if you still have that cool Razr phone from five years ago. Or if someone hacks into the system and locks up your rear wheel on a downhill.
–Erin Beresini