CYCLE HIRE
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Of greater concern is TfL's Cycle Hire scheme, which launches on 30 July and enables anyone to hire a bike for as little as £1 for up to 30 minutes. Operated by Serco, the scheme will launch with 6,000 bikes and 400 docking stations located across the capital. The fear is that the scheme will encourage novice cyclists onto London's busy roads.
"The scheme is encouraging cyclists who do not necessarily have the competence that those using the Superhighways have, and London is not the place to learn to ride a bike," says Bracey at the BLG.
The FTA's Chapman agrees: "Our members are greatly concerned about cyclists' safety. There will be large numbers of cyclists on routes that operators make deliveries on. We want to support what the Mayor is trying to do with regards to cycling in the capital, because if people are riding bikes it means less congestion, but it does need to be done in a careful, considered way."