Boris Johnson announced that Barclay’s Bicycle Hire will provide £25million to pedal the scheme west.
Hammersmith and Fulham is set to receive 60 Boris Bike docking stations.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced that Barclay’s Bicycle Hire will be providing an additional £25 million to pedal the scheme west.
The extension marks the end for campaigners in the area demanding such a move.
The Mayor is now being petitioned to take the scheme even further.
Boris Bikes have enjoyed success since December 2010, with more than 130,000 members earning the project £3 for every £1 spent.
Due to the positive results of the venture, it is being extended.
Johnson said: “I can announce we are now planning to swathe a huge chunk of the west of our city with our beautiful blue bikes.”
However, some question whether moving the scheme to this area is safe.
Britain’s roads are the scene for 146 deaths for cyclists every year, and Hammersmith and Fulham is particularly bad for accidents of this nature.
As reported recently by SW Londoner, a woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a lorry ran over her bike. This marked at least the third such event in recent months to happen at the Hammersmith Gyratory.
Safety advice on the bike scheme website says ‘ride assertively, away from the gutter’.
On roads as busy as those around the borough, this is perhaps not enough to keep those riding their bikes safe, as these recent accidents have shown.
With the flyover hosting a sign that says ‘bridge is not suitable for cyclists’, concerns for the schemes members are obviously likely to be raised.
Although the borough has held recent events to raise cycling safety awareness, many still feel that if this scheme is to be extended, safety needs to be addressed first
