Note: Metropolitan Shuttle, a leader in bus shuttle rentals, regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog Los Angeles. Unless noted in the story, Metropolitan Shuttle is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

Last week Metro Bike Share began a three-month pilot program offering electric-assist bicycles in downtown Los Angeles.

The electric assist is automatic, giving riders a push at speeds up to 17 miles per hour. The assist is useful for hills, longer distances, and to make bike-share more appealing to folks who do not feel fit enough to ride a solely human-power bike.

To find Metro e-bikes, use the online or in-app map and look for green-circled lightning bolt. Check them out the same as other Metro Bike Share – either by the ride, or using a day or monthly pass.

The e-bikes are docked at the same Metro Bike Share kiosks, but they look a little different: the frames are white, and the battery is attached alongside the back wheel.

Readers – have you tried out the new e-bikes? How did it go?