Kristen N. Carver

The Republic | azcentral.com

Bikes are now available to rent throughout Phoenix thanks to the new transit system on two wheels.

Phoenix opened the Grid Bike Share, also known as "GR: D," Tuesday morning at Orpheum Theater, launching Arizona's first ever city-shared bike system, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said. Residents and visitors now have access to more than 100 lime-green bikes at 27 bike racks that are scattered through the city's urban core.

Phoenix is following in the footsteps of cities across the world that have started bike-share programs in recent years.

Stanton said it was a long time coming, with a pilot effort originally scheduled to launch late last year, but the program is finally here.

A ride on the GPS-enabled and height-adjustable bikes cost $5 an hour, but monthly and annually memberships are also available to purchase.

A Grid Bike can be accessed through the mobile app or website. After the bike is reserved, riders can unlock the bike by entering their PIN number on the bike keypad. The bikes are to return to any "grid lock" hub station or public bike rack after every use.

Three hours of riding per week reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by 50 percent, according Grid Bike Share, but the program can also benefit the economy, said Phoenix City Councilman Bill Gates.

According to Gates, his next goal is to expand the transit system into his district, which stretches from Northern Avenue to beyond Bell Road and from Interstate 17 to 56th Street.

Stanton said by the time the Super Bowl arrives in Phoenix early next year, there will be twice as many bikes as today and the city will continue to plan more.

Users can access the program, find bike racks and suggest more station locations at gridbikes.com.