Boris Bikes hit a million rides.
mybreakfastconsisted
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http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... 0-weeks.do
The millionth rider, who may be named next week, will receive a free five-year subscription to the scheme for himself or herself plus three friends. The rider will also receive £1,000 to spend on cycle accessories at the Bobbin Bicycles boutique in Islington.
About 92,000 people have subscribed to the scheme - which costs up to £48 a year - and an average of 20,000 journeys are made every day on 5,247 bikes. Transport for London said today it still hoped to open the scheme to non-registered users "later this year", allowing bikes to be hired by swiping a credit card.
Only 338 of the promised 400 docking stations have been installed so far, meaning 4,703 bikes are normally available although an extra 544 are made available each day to cope with peaks in demand. T
hat leaves 743 of the 6,000 bikes still in storage awaiting more docking stations.
About 93 per cent of trips are under 30 minutes - meaning cyclists escape additional hire charges.
Mayor Boris Johnson said:
"A million thank-yous go to Londoners for the warmth in which they have embraced our beautiful blue bikes. The zest in which people have taken to two wheels and joined the cycling revolution we are engendering in the capital has gladdened my heart."
I thought the Oyster could be used eventually, but it looks like it's going to be debit/credit card payment. At least that means tourists can use them, and the theft rate is far lower than the Parisien Velib scheme.
The millionth rider, who may be named next week, will receive a free five-year subscription to the scheme for himself or herself plus three friends. The rider will also receive £1,000 to spend on cycle accessories at the Bobbin Bicycles boutique in Islington.
About 92,000 people have subscribed to the scheme - which costs up to £48 a year - and an average of 20,000 journeys are made every day on 5,247 bikes. Transport for London said today it still hoped to open the scheme to non-registered users "later this year", allowing bikes to be hired by swiping a credit card.
Only 338 of the promised 400 docking stations have been installed so far, meaning 4,703 bikes are normally available although an extra 544 are made available each day to cope with peaks in demand. T
hat leaves 743 of the 6,000 bikes still in storage awaiting more docking stations.
About 93 per cent of trips are under 30 minutes - meaning cyclists escape additional hire charges.
Mayor Boris Johnson said:
"A million thank-yous go to Londoners for the warmth in which they have embraced our beautiful blue bikes. The zest in which people have taken to two wheels and joined the cycling revolution we are engendering in the capital has gladdened my heart."
I thought the Oyster could be used eventually, but it looks like it's going to be debit/credit card payment. At least that means tourists can use them, and the theft rate is far lower than the Parisien Velib scheme.
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Thats amazing and a real success.
Though regarding the prize, a cycling proficiency day would be a better option ........ !
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The numbers are pretty impressive. Anecdotal of course, but I've heard a number of accounts of people having tried the bikes, enjoyed being out on a bike, and have then gone on to get a bike (or get back on a bike) of their own. If that kind of reaction is widespread, then London is going to become a very different place to travel around in - I only go up to town occasionally, but it's already started to look and feel a little different.
Pastasauce's comments about cycling skills are valid though. If I ever see someone shoulder check and then indicate on a BB, I might fall off my bike.0
