Boris's Bike Watch...

[thomas]

I agree- take a look at some of the idiotic posts here:

http://www.independe...in-2040028.html

Was in London on Friday and saw a few in use. Lots of bikes left at the docking stations...which is both good and bad. Would be great to see loads more in use, but be bad if you couldn't get access to one.

Only just seen, you automatically have third party insurance when using them. That's pretty neat, but I wonder if most people would realise they do if they have an accident.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15026.aspx

Tempted to buy one of those keys. I'd only use it occasionally, but for £3 it would save having to faff around at the machine every time.

Does anyone know if there are any near free parking (or motorbike parking)?

 

[Trumpettom001]

I find it odd that "Tom in London" claims to be a cyclist, but finds "rows of bikes an eyesore".....

 

[Jezston]

I find it odd that "Tom in London" claims to be a cyclist, but finds "rows of bikes an eyesore".....

Perhaps the only cycle rack he likes the look of is the one on the roof of his Explorer.

 

[mcshroom]

I think "Tom in London" may have just had a hire stand put in front of his house, the main comment seemed to be moaning about putting them in front of residential properties (which if it was my house would make me happy - no walk to the bike )


I'm watching this scheme with interest as, although Whitehaven is unlikely to implement a scheme like this, the overall change in culture with more bikes on roads for short journeys might just let the planners twig that people cycle for other reasons than just to do C2C.

 

[dellzeqq]

I've seen a couple on the road, and they look pretty ponderous, but, then again, they look pretty easy to get on and off, which is every bit as important.

 

[Alan Whicker]

Mrs Whicker and me took a couple from Finsbury Circus (Moorgate) to Soho Square yesterday. Mrs W had no trouble releasing hers from the dock, but mine wouldn't budge. A quick chat with the call centre ("We're having teething problems - have another go in a couple of minutes") sorted that, and we were off. Encountered the same 'red light' problem as yesterday when I tried to leave my bike in Soho, but as the bike was locked in, didn't worry. About an hour later, somebody from the call centre rang me to see if all was well! Very impressed.

I noticed that the rear reflectors a couple of bikes in Soho Square had been knocked off, too.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Are helmets required when using these hire bikes? Melbourne has just started its own hire bike scheme, and it's suffering from significant under-use, because the majority of people who might use them decide not to because they didn't bring their own helmet and the bike hire company doesn't provide them.

 

[Evilcat]

Are helmets required when using these hire bikes? Melbourne has just started its own hire bike scheme, and it's suffering from significant under-use, because the majority of people who might use them decide not to because they didn't bring their own helmet and the bike hire company doesn't provide them.

Unlike in Australia and New Zealand helmets are not mandatory in the UK.

EC

 

[LOGAN 5]

I find it odd that "Tom in London" claims to be a cyclist, but finds "rows of bikes an eyesore".....

He also wants to see cyclists killed and finds London taxi drivers civil!

 

[scouserinlondon]

i rode one on Lower Marsh on Friday, it was very similar to the system in Lyon. It was bloody slow and lumbering, so my cheeky pull out which would have been simple on my normal bike was a bit harrowing. Once I'd got over that, it was fine. I'd deffo use one regularly to commute between meetings. They're sedate but you feel well planted and they won't do anything un-predictable. In winter I'd probably attach the hope to the front, but other than that all okay.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'm planning to take a day off this week to go and play on the Boris Bikes

 

[CopperBrompton]

What happens in the London scheme if you lose a bike (stolen from outside a shop for example) when its out registered in your name?

A deliberate feature of the scheme is no locks. You don't want bikes sitting idle and unavailable to other people, so the idea is that you dock it close to your destination then undock it (or another bike) when you're ready to cycle again.

 

[gaz]

aaaaaaaargh i hate these bikes. The nearest bike shop is a 25min walk / public transport travel, or 10 mins by bike, i can now comofortably get to the bike shop, browse and get back to work in under 40mins.

Ok thats not the best thing to say, i do like them and will use them frequently.

 

[sheddy]

This made me chuckle - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10602313
'Mr Carroll, 63, and other Mayfair residents accused Westminster City Council of unlawfully failing to take into account the environmental damage the [bike hire] scheme would cause through increased noise, disturbance and traffic congestion'

 

[BentMikey]

Nice one Sheddy, what a prize muppet Mr Carroll is.