Those keen to find out more about the scheme will be able to visit one of 45 planned cycle hire roadshows coming to central London from the end of May. Each roadshow will provide practical demonstrations, hints and tips - including how to register for the scheme, how much it will cost to use, and how to pick up and drop off hire bicycles from the docking stations. Existing or potential cyclists will also be given safety tips, details of cycle routes and will be encouraged to sign up for TfL-funded cycle training through their local borough council.
Once complete, people using London's Cycle Hire scheme will be able to pick up and drop off one of the 6,000 hire cycles at around 400 locations across the nine London boroughs and several Royal Parks that make up London's zone one travel area. The scheme is expected to generate up to 40,000 extra cycle journeys a day in central London.
People wanting to use one of the new hire bicycles will only need to pay £1 for 24 hour access, £5 for 7 day access, or take out a £45 annual membership to be able to use the scheme. Within the selected access period, people can take unlimited journeys and the first half hour of each will be completely free of any usage charges. After the first free half hour of rental, the London Cycle Hire scheme usage charge will be £1 for a journey of between 30 minutes and one hour, £4 for up to 90 minutes, and £6 for up to two hours. The hire charges then increase incrementally up to a maximum hire period of 24 hours.