In an interesting move, Ken Livingstone announced plans to fund 6,000 bikes which will be placed in different parts of London by tube stations. People will then be able to hire the bikes and cycle around London. For the first hour the cost will be free, after the first half hour it will cost £1 per half hour. To be able to get a bike and benefit from the scheme people will have to purchase a card which will automatically take off the cost of hiring.
The £75 million scheme will be part funded by taxpayers and partly by people who take advantage of hiring the bikes. If the scheme is successful the number of bikes will increase from 6,000 to 10,000.
For those who might be hoping to ride around on state of the art bikes, be prepared to be disappointed. The bikes have been chosen to deter theft, they will have shopping baskets, mudguards, painted green and be relatively heavy.
I hope the scheme works well, personally I really like the idea of being able to turn up in London and use a bike for an hour or so. I would be very happy to pay £1 per half an hour; I would be happy to pay more. But, I’m glad the scheme is gaining public subsidy to encourage the use of cycling.
The new cycle parks will probably take the place of car parking spaces. Ken Livingstone also announced other plans to encourage cycling in the city; including the improvement of cycle paths and cycle routes.
The London transport authority also announced plans to increase the congestion charge for ‘Chelsea Tractors’ – 4WD SUVs.
Good to see London going a little more green.
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