London's cycle hire scheme to open to casual users

Date: 24/11/2010

London's cycle hire scheme is set to open to casual users, allowing anyone to rent one of the bikes without having to be a member.

From December 3rd, anyone with a credit or debit card will be able to pay for a cycle at a docking station by following on-screen instructions.

Mayor Boris Johnson described the move as "the next stage" for the initiative, "where anyone who fancies taking to two wheels can do so in an instant with a simple swipe of their card."

He said this has been made possible now the scheme has been "thoroughly tried and tested" by thousands of members, who have shown to the system to be popular and robust.

David Brown, Managing Director of Surface Transport at Transport for London, added the project is "transforming" the way people travel around the capital.

Barclays Cycle Hire was recently awarded the London Cycling Campaign accolade for the Best Cycling Facility.

Posted by Mary Treen