(CBS) CHICAGO Getting people to ditch their cars is a challenge, but Mayor Richard M. Daley thinks the French have a way that might work for Chicago residents and visitors.

As CBS 2’s Mai Martinez reports, city officials are reviewing two companies’ proposals aimed at making Chicago more bike-friendly.

The proposals are part of Daley’s interest in a French bike drop-off program that allows residents to rent a bike and return it on the other side of the city.

Daley is currently in Paris and took a spin on a bike Tuesday to check out the program.

The companies that have submitted proposals to Chicago are London-based OYBike and the French company JCDecaux.

Bicycling enthusiasts say the idea would benefit those in the city and suburban residents who ride their bikes to commuter rail stations.

Transportation officials say such a rental program could be the answer for many downtown commuters.

“Bikes really help fill in the gap for people commuting to and from work,” said Brian Steele of the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Steele says visitors to Chicago could also use the bikes to explore the city.

Similar rental bike programs have been very successful in Europe, but some downtown workers say they’re not so sure it would work here.

“I wouldn’t do it,” said commuter Natalie Dvorak. “I have bags that I carry, and I see messengers get hit, and cars don’t pay attention at all.”

But other commuters say they like the idea of a having a convenient, low-cost way to get from point A to point B.

Ken Holmes/Commuter
“You can just ride to work, ride around to where you have to go here in the Loop,” said commuter Ken Holmes. “Just ease up on a lot of traffic period.”

Many Chicagoans say they think the program would work very well in the warmer months of the year, but the question how practical it would be in the winter.

“I wouldn’t ride a bike in the winter, because you know, I love the cold, but not like that,” said Maurice Champion.

Understanding that, city leaders say it will likely be next spring or summer before the program is launched. Until they iron out the details, they are not sure how much the program will cost, but they say the fee to people using the program will be kept as low as possible.