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| Cyclists in London can now hire bikes |
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London's cycle hire scheme has begun today with 315 docking stations and 5,000 bikes available.
More than 12,000 pioneer members have signed up to use the scheme, with over 6,000 keys activated.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, heralded a 'new dawn' in London's bid to become the greatest big cycling city in the world as he launched the jewel in the crown of his cycling revolution.
The creation of an easy to use cycle hire system was a key pledge of the Mayor's manifesto.
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the scheme stretches from Notting Hill Gate to Wapping, and from Regents Park to Borough Market.
Londoners using the scheme can take a cycle from one of 315 docking stations based every 300 square metres or so throughout the centre of the Capital, with a total of 5,000 bikes available.
People should never be more than a couple of minutes away from a docking station in central London.
The Mayor said: "Londoners have awoken to a new dawn for the bicycle in the Capital.
"Overnight, racks have been filled with thousands of gleaming machines that will transform the look and feel of our streets and become as commonplace on our roads as black cabs and red buses."
Access is initially available to members, with casual users expected to be able to pick up bikes in around four weeks time.
When complete the scheme will see 6,000 cycles and 400 docking points located across central London.
A membership key costs £3 with membership costs at £1 for a 24-hour membership, £5 for seven days and £45 for an annual membership.
The first 30 minutes of any journey will be free. |
