London Cycle Hire scheme moves to planning stage
Artist's impression of the London Cycle Hire scheme (Transport for London)
The planning process has begun for the London Cycle Hire scheme, with the aim of getting it up and running for May 2010.
Transport for London (TfL) began submitting planning applications yesterday for about 400 cycle docking stations – the locations where people will be able to pick up and drop off hire bikes in central London.
The aim is to have a docking station every 300 metres, so people who want to use or lock up a bicycle should never be more than a couple of minutes' walk away from one. See the map below for details of where TfL hope to site them.
The first four planning applications are being submitted to Camden Council. More will be submitted throughout the spring and summer.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “I pledged to deliver a cycling revolution across the city, and there is now a growing excitement about our cycle hire scheme, which will give all Londoners the opportunity to hop on a bike and experience the joys of cycling.
"Much like hailing a cab, people will be able to pick up one of 6,000 bikes and zip around town to their heart's content – not only a quick, easy and healthy option, but one that will also make London a more liveable city."
When it launches in May next year, the London Cycle Hire scheme is expected to generate an additional 40,000 bicycle journeys every day. TfL is funding cycle training across London’s boroughs.
David Brown, managing director of surface transport at TfL, said: “The Cycle Hire scheme will be the most sustainable, environmentally friendly form of public transport ever seen in London, and will provide people with an inexpensive and convenient way of making short trips.
“Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the London Cycle Hire scheme will help to alleviate congestion hotspots on the Tubes and buses in central London, as well as build on the massive growth London has already seen in cycle journeys in recent years.
"It forms a key part of the record £111 million the mayor and TfL are investing in cycling this year, helping to revolutionise conditions for people who want to cycle in the capital.”
Initial proposed docking station locations
For a full list of proposed docking station sites, click here.
You can follow BikeRadar on Twitter at twitter.com/bikeradar.
User Comments
There are 3 comments on this post
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 comments
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londoncommuter
Posted Wed 29 Apr, 12:06 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
I'm confused by Boris/TFL's policy towards cycling. Positive projects like this seem totally at odds to the decision to let motorbikes into bus lanes. Not sure what’s going to happen when thousands of inexperienced 'part time' cyclists meet speeding motorbikes.
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YIYAYOO
Posted Fri 8 May, 8:18 am UTC Flag as inappropriate
What a complete waste of time.. How on earth is going to want to hire a bicycle.
It will fail
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crosstowncommuter
Posted Sat 30 May, 12:33 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
In response to londoncommuter, I think this scheme was agreed and set going long before Boris came on the scene - these things take years to get to this stage with all the consulations, cross borough planning etc.
The motorbikes in bus lanes folly, and the funding cuts for cycle routes to pay for dropping the western extension to the congestion charge zone are definitely Boris initiated though....
Always amuses me to see City Hall banging on about Boris's cycling credentials. He's a politian that uses a bike (not a bad thing), not really a keen cyclist - subtle, but important distinction.
If you want to encourage more occasional cyclists and change the perception of cycling in London you need to reduce the causes of pollution and increase the percieved safety and convenience of cycling.
That means making it easier to find publicly accessible secure bike parking, tackling the poor air quality issue, and giving cyclists safe routes to get around the city (bus lanes and ASL's were safe havens until the motorbike / scooter crowd decided some buslane access was carte blanche to use both whenever they feel like it).
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