Bike Hire Scheme Begins

[ladyDeWint]

London's multi-million pound cycle hire scheme was unveiled by Boris Johnson today, but the London Mayor admitted the state of the art network would experience a series of teething problems as it was rolled out.

He conceded that cyclists faced a shortage of bikes and could have problems returning them to the 'docking stations' throughout the city.

More than 1,300 of the 6,000 bikes were not ready for hire when hire began this morning, while about a quarter of the 400 docking stations aren't completed.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z0v9sR9e2y

[johnworc]

Melbourne recently launched a massive bike loan scheme around the CBD area - a complete failure as it's illegal to ride a bike without a helmet and bike hire / loan schemes depend on tourists and visitors who are most unlikely to have brought a helmet with them!! There's now pressure to relax the rules on helmets - but statistics show a dramatic decline in head injuries since the introduction of compulsory helmets.

[Barryoneoff]

I personally don't think this has any chance of success.

[cockneyoz]

I used to love riding a bike to work but as soon as they brought out the helmet law i haven't ridden one since, i think it should be up to the individual, and only be compulsory for kids up to 18yrs old.
I saw an old couple once riding along with ice cream containers on their heads, they must have been in their 80s, I'm sure if the police saw them they'd have to look the other way.

[Barryoneoff]

[Grundle]

I personally don't think this has any chance of success.

I can see it promoting a brand new sport of "brake -cable snipping" and "tyre slashing".

[cockneyoz]

Youre right there grundle, theres a small island off the coast of w oz called rotnest, its too small for cars so they have a bike hire there, every year during the holiday season the owners have to go around the island collecting the bikes from the bush and from the ocean where the idiots dump them, they must spend a fortune on repairs.

[tabbynera]

I hope that there are not many around like me that would really put a stop to Boris new idea (and I even like the bloke - saw him on the one show yesterday). No, I cannot ride a bike, but not for lack of trying. My man tried many times to teach me, even on a moped thinking the speed would keep me upright - it didn't work. I had lessons from a bloke that had a bike shop I knew in town, and that almost worked, but by that time (I was then overr 50 years old) Mr. Swiss decided it was too dangerous with my accident history. Inbetween never gave up, but I cannot keep my balance (meniere problem I suppose), so now at the age of 64 I have almost given up. However, if I ever get a chance again, I might go for it.

[valk]

I can't see it working in this country more areas to lock up peoples own bikes would be better.

[Aldgate West]

Going by the telephone booth vandalism that's rampant around London, I have my doubts too.

[Freeman]

I cant see any bike system working. I reckon they will end up in the same spots as supermarket trolleys and lost socks. Good idea in theory - but not practical.

OR sold on ebay

jenny

[johnworc]

I get very annoyed when I see abandoned supermarket trolleys!

[Barryoneoff]

Ours are electronically tagged, so that the wheels lock when you try to push them past the exit doors.

[johnworc]

That's a good idea, Barry - but I guess the electronics add to the cost of groceries!! Nevertheless, trolleys cost a lot and so does rounding them up from streets miles away.

[tabbynera]

Very rare seen in Switzerland. since they brought in the trolleys where you have to put a franc or two franc piece into it to release it, everyone seems to return them to the right place to get their money back. You know how money grabbing we all are here.