London has just launched their first public hire bike scheme, popularly named Boris Bikes, not unlike the one in Paris but much smaller. It is meant to be a solution to London’s overpriced and overcrowded public transport system.
If you want to cycle in London, there are a lot of guides available in local libraries for cycle routes or you can read this The London Cycling Guide: 30 Great Routes for Exploring the Capital
Boris Bikes Docking Station
To use it, you have to register here, and get a key which will unlock the bikes at the designated locations. I have been trying to get onto that site but for some reason, my internet connection is blocking access the whole of the barclay hire site. There is a serious technology problem there as I am just a normal punter and I am not sitting behind a corporate firewall. Anyway, I will endeavor and find a way to register, possibly at a local library.They are going to introduce and option for casual users from September.
There are 400 bike docking stations throughout Central London with only 6000 bikes, which a lot or people has said is not enough for a big city like London.
Cost and usage
How much does it cost?
Membership + Usage charge = Cost
Membership is either £1/day, £5/week or £45/yr
Usage charge is £0 for the first 30 minutes of each ride then up to £50 for 24hrs
Where can you find the bikes around London ? Here are mobile phone aps and online resources. Check out BorisBikes.co.uk for a forum and more info.
- http://www.londonbikeapp.com/ (59p)
- http://cyclehireapp.com/
- http://www.londoncycleapp.com/
- http://www.londoncycleapp.com/
- http://www.layar.com/ (once installed, search for “TFL Cycle Hire”)
- http://www.uidroid.com/ (59p)
- http://www.bixou.info/ (59p)
Mobile Web Apps
Online Maps
- http://maps.camdencyclists.org.uk/
- http://www.oobrien.com/vis/bikes/
- https://web.barclayscyclehire.tfl.gov.uk/maps
- http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/roadusers/Cycling/cycle-hire-map.pdf
Paper Maps
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