Sure, we're the last big city on Earth to have bike sharing. But shake off that negativity and get peddling. It's opening day, L.A.

Mayor Eric Garcetti himself will kick things off by riding a brand new bike-share bicycle shortly after noon, his office says.

Metro's bike-share pilot program will put as many as 1,000 bicycles on the streets. They'll be based at 65 stations in downtown and beyond, including Chinatown and Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

“Planned locations include Union Station, City Hall, Grand Park, the L.A. Convention Center, South Park, Chinatown, the Arts District, the Fashion District, Little Tokyo and more,” according to a Metro statement.

For now you can pick one up at the locations on the map below.

You'll have to pony up $20 for a monthly pass, which allows an unlimited number of 30-minute rides. Or you can spring for an annual flex pass, which costs $40 plus $1.75 for each 30 minutes of peddling. 

Starting Aug. 1, would-be riders won't have to bother with passes and can walk up and grab a bike for $3.50 an hour with a Metro TAP card.

Today's launch was preceded by an announcement that $100,000, including a $75,000 grant from the national Better Bike Share Partnership and $25,000 in matching funds from Metro, will go toward making bike-sharing more accessible to “underserved communities in and around downtown L.A.,” according to a statement.

Today's noontime launch festivities are taking place at First and Spring streets next to Grand Park.

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