I had a chance to see the new TFL Barclays bikes when I visited Pozzoni’s London office today. Just outside Euston station is a shiny row of the new bikes in their special stands. I knew before setting off I wouldn’t be able to use them today as you currently have to register, become a member and receive a key before you can hire them. Apparently ad hoc hires will be possible though in the future from the consoles situated at each of the bike stations.
The bicycles look very sturdy, with good mudguards, and the front rack with bungee looked like it would easily take my laptop bag. Coming up out of the tube at Barbican there was another row of bikes, so next time I need to get organised and do the journey by bike. However on my return to Euston I was glad I was on the tube as it was just chucking it down with rain. It will be interesting to see how popular they are when the weather is not so kind.
Perhaps a London charity MTBO using the hire bikes should be organised when the London City orienteering race is on next year ?
Lots more info at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14808.aspx
Good thinking about the MTBO, remind me about that next year and I’ll see if I can organise something!
Haven’t yet tried the bikes myself, having only just organised myself to get a key, but they seem to be going down quite well and I see a lot of folk out and about on them.
Ollie has done some fantastic visualisations of their usage: http://www.oobrien.com/vis/bikes/
I enjoyed the cycle to work from Liverpool street to Clerkenwell. It only took me twelve minutes but it is hard not to feel a bit of a twerp waiting at the lights next to Mister Fixed Gear Trendy Turn Up Man. On the down side I could only use a bike twice in one day as the docks refused my ‘fob’ and I am worried they think I’ve nicked one of the bikes. They haven’t email me though so I’m probably being paranoid. Many complaints in fact. it feels like another oyster card. i’m being branded again by the city/i am a cycling advert for barclays. i feel cheated by it. i dont feel responsible for the bikes destiny unlike my own bike. altogether a conflicting emotional journey on the barclays bike.
I have to say I like the idea of the new bikes and reminds me very much of being in one of the smaller European cities. Saying that, I agree that once it gets cold that we’ll get a better picture of how successful the bikes will be throughout the year.
In the meantime – might be a good idea if someone thought about developing a few more cycle lanes.
Saves energy, improves fitness – for me – that’s two good positives.