On October 12, 2011, the CMAP Board and the MPO Policy Committee approved the FY 2012-2016 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program.  The program includes $18 million in funding for the City of Chicago’s proposed bike sharing program.    According to a September 2011 request for proposals to implement a bicycle sharing system, this program will advance Chicago as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, enhance the public transit system by providing bicycles to complete the first or last leg of trips, and aid in congestion reduction. The program will include 3,000 bicycles, available for pick-up and drop-off at 300 parking stations around the Chicago Central Area.