This rather detailed article from Slate [2] gives us the background story on how DC developed what many people today consider the best bike-sharing program in the nation.
Links:
[1] http://www.library.northwestern.edu/libraries-collections/evanston-campus/transportation-library
[2] http://www.slate.com/articles/life/doers/2013/01/capital_bikeshare_how_paul_demaio_gabe_klein_adrian_fenty_and_other_dc_leaders.htmlhttp:/www.slate.com/articles/life/doers/2013/01/capital_bikeshare_how_paul_demaio_gabe_klein_adrian_fenty_and_other_dc_leaders.html
[3] http://www.library.northwestern.edu/related-pages/bicycle-sharing