Is Los Angeles looking to shirk its reputation as a surfer haven and emerge as a cyclists’ sanctuary? Maybe.

According to a recent LA Times article, Bike Nation is pledging $16 million to LA’s first (and the country’s second largest, behind NYC’s system) bike sharing program, which will launch in April 2013.

Miami Heat stars LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Mario Chalmers don’t have the market cornered on NBA endorsements of cycling initiatives. Los Angeles Clippers small forward Caron Butler was at last Thursday’s press conference announcing LA’s bike sharing launch.

The plan is to have 4,000 rental bikes stationed around downtown LA at rates of $1.50 an hour, $4.50 per 90 minutes, $6 a day, or $75 for a one-year pass. Rides under 30 minutes will be free.

Bike Nation has already partnered with Long Beach and Anaheim for other cycle-share programs.

Looks like in LA it’s goodbye board shorts, hello spandex