Boris's bikes - wheely good idea or road to nowhere?
HEAVY, ugly, tricky to ride and expensive, the critics will cry when Boris's bikes hit the streets on Friday - and with good reason.
London Mayor Boris Johnson is calling on Londoners to become "pioneers of London's newest transport system" when Transport for London's new cycle hire scheme goes live.
But despite widespread enthusiasm for an idea that has been successful in cities like Paris, Oslo
and Montreal, there will be plenty to moan about.
For a start the bikes weigh a tonne. They are also quite difficult to control - U-turns, for example, are a nightmare as the turning circle is much wider than a normal bike.
There are only three gears, one of which is totally useless because the wheels go round so easily. And with their TfL branding and weird shape they are actually quite embarrassing to be seen on.
But that is the point.
The bikes are not fashion accessories, and they are not supposed to be great. If they were 21-speed aerodynamic beauties, you can bet they would be gone by the end of the summer.
As it is some people might be tempted to chuck them into the Thames, but they are too uncool to steal, and anyone who does try, will find it tough going.
A TfL spokeswoman said: "The bicycles are based on those used in Montreal's cycle hire scheme, Bixi. The modifications include extra features to deter vandalism, such as strong plastic covers for all cables.
"There is always a risk of vandalism or theft in schemes of this type, but our bikes are designed to deter theft and will be distinctive enough to ensure that they become as much a part of London as our world famous red buses."
So how will it work?
It costs £45 for a year's membership, £5 for a week or £1 for a day, but, having paid up for "access", it is then another £1 for an hour's rental, £4 for 90 minutes, £6 for two hours - up to £50 for 24 hours.
With Travelcards at less than £10 a day it seems extortionate, but members can use the bikes for free for journeys of less than half an hour, meaning they can whizz off to the shops or to a meeting without paying a penny.
The TfL spokeswoman said: "Barclays Cycle Hire is designed to be an easy-to-use, low cost, convenient, quick and healthy way to make short trips around London. The tariff reflects this, with the first half hour of each journey free of any usage charges with hire charges then increasing incrementally.
"People who want to hire a bicycle in London for longer periods are advised to use an existing bicycle hire company."
A perk of the system is that members can ride all day for nothing if they make multiple trips under 30 minutes each. But the penalties for lateness are harsh.
Every user has to pay by credit or debit card - so TfL has your details - and any time you are late, you will get charged £150.
If you arrive to find the docking station is full, you can press a button to get an extra 15 minutes and directions to the nearest available station with space to leave your bike, but with no appeals process, it's easy to envisage that this hard line stance will cause major controversy.
Users will not be charged for "wear and tear" to the bikes - "unless there is evidence that a cycle has been wilfully damaged" - but what will happen if a puncture causes someone to incur a £150 penalty is anyone's guess.
The penalty for no non-return is £300, and that kicks in after 24 hours, so don't keep it overnight whatever you do.
The bikes have safety features such as a rear reflector and lights that remain on
for a minimum of two minutes after the bicycle has stopped, so safety should not be a huge issue.
Whatever Boris says, this is a work in progress, and there are issues that will need to be worked out once the scheme is up and running. But whether these bikes reincarnate the mayor as a revolutionary forward-thinker or reinforce his tabloid reputation as a blundering buffoon, we'll just have to wait and see.
For more information on Barclays Cycle Hire scheme and how to join up, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/barclayscyclehire
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