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Newport Beach is considering partnering with a local foundation to bring a bike sharing program to the city that would allow users to borrow bicycles from solar-powered kiosks around the city for a small fee.

The bike-sharing system, called BIXI, a combination of the words bicycle and taxi, has just been unveiled in the Montreal. The Canadian city unveiled its BIXI bike sharing program in May, with 3,000 bikes available at 300 pay stations.

The bike sharing program is designed for users to park their cars or use public transportation and then borrow a bike for a short period of time, returning it to another station near their destination.

Users pay a $5 access fee to ride a bike and the first 30 minutes is free.

The program is being championed by the Newport Beach-based Brandenburger Foundation, anorganization dedicated to promoting bike sharing programs in coastal cities to help reduce carbon emissions.

The Brandenburger Foundation also hopes to eventually unveil BIXI bike sharing programs at several Southland universities, including Loyola Marymount University and UCLA.

Here’s how to help: Donations can be made to the Brandenburger Foundation for the BIXI bike sharing system at 201 Shipyard Way, Suite 6, Newport Beach, CA 92663. The Brandenburger Foundation also is looking for volunteers. E-mail Alan Brandenburger for more information at Alan@brandenburgerfoundation.