Commuting by mass transit in Los Angeles can sometimes feel like a schlep, particularly for those who don't live and work within easy walking distance from bus and train lines.
Bridging those so-called "first mile, last mile" gaps in Los Angeles County's transportation network is key, officials say, to boosting ridership and connecting would-be transit commuters to the county's growing rail system.
Transportation planners hope bike-share can be the solution.
An $11-million plan backed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will distribute 1,100 bicycles at 65 kiosks throughout downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding area with more bikes clustered near major transit hubs, like Union Station and 7th / Metro, where four rail lines intersect.