It does seem to have problems (registration, key activation, getting through to the helpline) which hopefully will be resolved. However if you have planned to use the bike for only one day you appear to need an alternative plan to get around.
More importantly in her review SCC points out the poor cycle infrastructure, poor street signs and aggressive driving that we who cycle in London tend to accept as our lot. I completely agree with the need to reduce the speed limit in congested areas. I also don’t understand the various no cycle signs that seem to be springing up.
I nearly registered with the cycle hire scheme at the weekend but I couldn’t get through the registration process. I will try again. I have seen quite a few cyclists in Central London using them, but they appear to me to be people who work in the area and jumping on a bike is a quick way to get around, especially on a sunny day in August.
The photo was of the actor & bike I saw on the launch day of the scheme. The fade effects are courtesy of my iPhone using the Hipstamatic Photo app.
Comments
Now I'm out of London, this would be handy for those times I'm there to meet up with friends and such, where it would be difficult to get a secure (read indoors) spot for my foldable steed.
London needs more useful signs, aimed at Pedestrians and cyclists, which point to key stations, districts, and points of interest. At the moment, it can be very tricky trying to navigate, even simple routes such as Kings Cross to Waterloo (a key route I am sure.)
Investments need o be made in the infrastructure as well, in Paris they have extended bus lanes where segregated cycle routes were not installed (and by segregated that is on a raised surface, so no cars can drive onto it and nobody would dare park on them) One way routes allow cyclists to go both ways, this has been done around parts of Westminster. We could learn a lot from them.
There are a lot of valid points made however, and one would have thought that they would have tested the system before deploying it (us Brits have a very high tolerance for most things, unfortunately mediocrity is included.)
Let's hope that it improves, I certainly hope so. I was about to get a years pass on Friday but shall try the 24hr one instead, that way I needn't commit until they pull their finger out.
I finally found a rack...just outside Waterloo station. I'm glad I didn't opt for the annual subscription.
Although they do work well, the bikes are not meant for racing but a leasurly pootle and the low gears encourages that. The thicker tyres allow for more suspension so it feels like you're just gliding along. The seat is also very comfortable.
Never used the front rack but it seemed pretty superficial, as t was really small so I don't know if you'll get many people carrying their shopping on it, particularly from Oxford Street - assuming they have them docked there.
Overall, the bikes are very nice, if you want a leisurly pootle it does the trick, although if you need to get from A to B, then they are let down by their awkward, non-intuitive, placements therefore best stick to the Brompton/Trek for now.