A revolution of cycling underway in London

• Source: Global Times
• [00:45 July 22 2010]
• Comments

By Sun Wei in London

Red double-decker buses, black taxis, those roundel underground logos and … bicycle rentals?

London's iconic transportation system has added another mode of public transport to its repertoire, and Mayor Boris Johnson hopes it willhelps turn the capital into a "cyclized" city.

"I call on Londoners to sign up from this Friday and become pioneer members of this fantastic new addition to our transport system. I know that, in time, our scheme will become a new London icon and enable many more people to cycle in our magnifi-cent city," the mayor said.

Membership of the bike-rental plan will open Friday, and members can rent a bike from July 30, when the initiative will be officially launched, transportation adviser Kulveer Ranger said Tuesday at a press briefing at City Hall.

People who use London Cycle Hire will be able to pick up and drop off one of the 6,000 bicycles at any of the 400 locations across central London. This means that there is going to be a docking station every 300 meters.

Within the selected access period, people can make unlimited journeys, and the first half hour of each will be completely free of any usage charges.

The 140-million-pound ($214 million) plan will then open to casual users such as visitors or tourists at the end of August.

London has seen a 117 percent increase in cycling compared with the year of 2000.

There is a plan to expand the plan to the 2012 Olympic zone.

Twelve Cycle Superhighways are planned and underway to give cyclists a direct route from the suburbs into central London. The Cycle Superhighways will meet the needs of commuters with a growing appetite for cycling between outer and inner London and the center.