Hammersmith and Fulham now have 1,700 boris bikes.
The Mayor of London was in Hammersmith and Fulham today to officially launch the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme.
The scheme brings 1,700 new bikes into the borough and adds to the second largest cycle hire scheme in Europe, which now covers 100 sq km.
Mr Johnson was among the first to ride the bikes in the borough as he rode a short journey from Wandsworth Bridge to Wandsworth town.
“Our iconic bikes have changed the face of the capital since their launch three years ago and this expansion into great swathes of south west London will enable even more people to hop on them,” he said.
“The hire bikes are a key part of my vision for cycling in the capital and I am committed to making sure the scheme becomes even bigger and better in the future.”
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have contributed £2 million towards the bike hire scheme.
The introduction of the bikes received mixed reaction from traders and residents in the area who were not happy with the lack of communication by the council in installing the docks.
Sam Jenkins, owner of a butchers shop in White City, said: “I had no notice of them (the bike docks) being built near my shop replacing car parking spaces for customers.
“I wish we had more updates or news from the Council informing us of what will be happening. I was never contacted by anyone.”
Docking stations in the borough include BBC White City, Olympia Exhibition Centre and Charing Cross Hospital and near the train stations at Imperial Wharf and West Brompton.
The Barclays Cycle Hire scheme celebrated its third anniversary this year and has around 160,000 registered users – 3,900 of whom are Hammersmith and Fulham residents – with more than 10,000 bicycles at 700 docking stations across London.
Cycle hire staff will be on hand tomorrow from 10am until 6pm, and on December 14-15, 9am – 4pm, at Hammersmith bus and underground station and at docking stations in Fulham Broadway.
For more information about the scheme,visit: www.tfl.gov.uk/barclayscyclehireexpansion
For more information on cycling in the borough , including how to take part in cycling courses, or to see a list of docking station sites that have been approved, visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/cycling.
Photo courtesy of James Cridland, with thanks.
Follow us @SW_Londoner
