Socialist Bike-Sharing Plan in Paris Not a Success

"Many of the specially designed bikes, which, when the system’s startup and maintenance expenses are included, cost $3,500 each, are showing up on black markets in Eastern Europe and northern Africa. Many others are being spirited away for urban joy rides, then ditched by roadsides, their wheels bent and tires stripped."  Who could have predicted this outcome?  (NYT link, 2 pages, Editor's pick)