Boris Bike Round Up.

Stepping sadly away from the world of tumbling singletrack again we’re back in London and all aspects of the Bike Hire Scheme.

So, into a round up of not-very-surprising news here we go:

To start with it turns out that opposition to the docking stations in certain areas has actually led to over 1000 of the proposed bikes not being released onto the streets. A total of 76 possible sites were rejected by the various councils involved and this has meant that a total of 1/6 of the total number of bikes are not being used. Somehow this is disappointing; especially as the docking stations themselves aren’t particularly ugly or obtrusive. Hopefully the extra capacity can be found soon and the bikes rolled out of storage.

With the success of the scheme so far it’s not surprising that local businesses have asked their private security wardens to clamp down on bad cycling in central London areas. With a number of less experienced cyclists on the roads it does seem like some people might need to be reminded of how to ride as part of the existing traffic, and the rules they should be sticking to. I only hope that the policing is in the form of advice rather than heavy handed. Once again this link is to the Evening Standard, so expect your usual outpouring of anti-bike vitriol.

Just as expected is the exciting news that people are generally using the bikes at lunchtime and when it’s not raining, as the Telegraph are reporting. Considering that the scheme has not yet been opened to casual use, it makes sense that those registered would be living and working in London and therefore largely only free to ride the bikes at lunchtime, rather than when they are at work. Also when it rains even the most committed of cyclists can think twice about rolling out on the bike.

At least we can finish with something we were hoping for. Once again from the Telegraph there has been a first attempt at a bit of fun riding on a Boris Bike. We think you can do better, but it’s a start.



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