Our proximity to Zone One means its only a 10 minute walk to the nearest Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations at Vauxhall. One is in the tunnel by the Vauxhall Tavern, the other by the St George Wharf. There is also one on the Albert Embankment.I've used the bikes a few times.
It's a great scheme and really useful for short hops about in town - perfect when I needed to get from Victoria to Waterloo during the rush hour the other evening.
Even for people who already use a bike it is useful: if you are going into town either to shop or to drink (or both) or the weather is uncertain you can cycle in and get a bus or tube back.
And you never have to worry about your bike being stolen.
The downsides are:
1. You can't rely on it. I was intending to cycle to the National Theatre the other night but none of the local docking stations was working. Luckily I had left myself plenty of time and managed to make the curtain thanks to some very fast walking.
2. Quite a few of the planned docking stations haven't made it into reality. The unofficial iPhone app I have (there is no official one) features quite a few ghost docking stations (e.g. Millbank). The Covent Garden area is really under-served.
3. You have to remember to remember to consultyour watch at the time of un-docking if you are anxious about returning it within the half hour (journeys under 30 minutes are free). My journey to the Royal Albert Hall was touch and go.
Other than that, I think it's great. I've paid my annual membership of £45 which means that even if I only use it once a week in lieu of a bus I'll get my money back (but of course, that doesn't apply to people with travel cards). I've made seven journeys in the last week.
Johnson has made no provision for disabled cyclists – now why isn’t that a surprise. I’d love to have an opportunity to hire out a handcycle.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how many of these bikes end up speeding along our pavements illegally. Tell me, if I’m hit by one of these machines can I sue City Hall for damages?
Tried it out today and made 3 seperate trips. Overall I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteDownsides - bikes are so heavy its hard to get them up steps, and had to try 3 docking stations to find a space to park around the Strand. Can be hard work going over a bridge, wouldn't like to take one up to say hampstead heath.
But loved the freedom compared to the 88. I can see it cutting out a lot of bussing. The bikes have a laid back feel, and still novel enough that people stop and look.
Should probably do that cycle safety course though....
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ReplyDeleteI'm sure this won't come as news to anyone but its proving tricky to dock at Vauxhall in the evenings now. Last 3 nights I've had to go over to Pimlico to find a spot. T
ReplyDeletehe machine tells you which docking stations have space, but its not reliable - two spaces reported under the bridge but actually full. More spots around Ste George Wharf would be good.