Bike About London

[Miss Inquiry]

I saw on the news a few nights ago a new bike scheme that had been launched in London, basically bright orange bikes were being left all over the place and you could simply get on them ride to you destination, leave the bike in full view and someon else could then get on and ride off on it, leaving it for the next person. I think this is a brilliant idea, but sadly I think it will not work as people will just steal the bikes. Has anyone seem one of these bright orange bikes about? Been anywhere nice on it?

[admarlow]

they had a similar thing in hammersmith a few years back it was like a shopping trolly type setupwhere you left a deposit and got it back when th ebike was returned..

[PhilBy]

A similar thing in Amsterdam has gone one for years Miss Inquiry, whether the 'I was only 'avin' a larf' brigade of Britain can be trusted remains to be seen. Top marks to London though :)

[PhilBy]

'gone on for years'

[IggyB]

Cambridge lauched its green bike plan about 10 years ago - i remember the policeman who came up with the idea proudly talking about the scheme on the first day - there were various depots of "green" bikes and the plan was to cycle between them and leave the bike for the next person, no deposits, no locks all based on trust and respect... needless to say after the first night no green bike was ever seen again, they must still be out there somewhere roaming wild but you'll never catch one... i think history will repeat itself in london

[noxlumos]

you'll always get some muppets who are happy to nick em but the thing is you have to saturate london with them so they have no value ( unless your moving out of London) then after a while no-one will bother nicking them. Or make them with a funny shaped frame so they are easy to identify as a public bike.I think it's a great idea and should be ploughed on with even if there are teething troubles.

[admarlow]

they will just end up as scrap metal and parts..

[Miss Inquiry]

It makes me sad to think we live with people who would just steal them. If only everyone was as considerate as a lot of people who use this site!!

[joko]

people will just spray them a differnet colour

and what if you go somewhere and leave it then can't find one to get back again

people will also just put locks on them so they will always be there whenever that person desires

[tara20]

There`s a simple solution. Bikes can only be released by using a credit card. The rental (token fee) is deducted from the card, and the last user is subsequently known if the bike disappears.

[dyli795]

If I remember rightly, Amsterdam filled up with so many bikes, it got to the point there was always one available at arms length. No one bothered owning one anymore with the "two for everyone" effect ! Unfortunately it got to the stage where getting around was so impeaded, the canals started to fill up with bikes chucked out the way. What it cost then to clear up the waterways, or where they went from there I don't know, but I think dredging the Thames might be more expensive. But maybe if they are alowed to get impacted enough it would be a good enough a foundation to tar-mac over it and have a new express way.

[dyli795]

Oh no ! I forgot, - The more roads we have and the wider we make 'em the more they just fill up with extra traffic. Extra traffic anyone ?