With 400 docking stations popping up across the city and free 30 minute bike hire, the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme London event arrives at the end of July to kickstart a summer of cycling.

On your (hire) bike
With 6,000 bikes available at around 400 docking stations as part of the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme, London commuters have the chance to ditch their Oyster cards and say goodbye to the daily slog on the London Underground and bus network. Rolling out around Central London across Zone 1, the bicycle hire scheme aims to keep you fit, healthy and enjoying the freedom of life on two wheels over the summer and beyond.

Pedal power
There's nothing like feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your face as you pedal your way around the city, and with the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme, London commuters don't even need to fork out on their own bikes. The initiative aims to make the business of hiring a bike easier and cheaper than ever before, with the self service docking stations available 24 hours a day, all year round.

Pay as you pedal
The Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme London initiative is open to registered members only for the first month, who pay a £45.00 annual subscription fee for access to the bikes. From September, you can buy daily or weekly access to the bikes either online, by phone or at a docking station, after which you can take a 30 minute ride for free. After the 30 minute free ride, hire for an hour is £1.00, rising to £50.00 for a 24 hour hire period.

Docking station locations
The 400 docking stations are located in streets, stations and parks around Central London, including by Charing Cross Tube Station, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge, Clerkenwell Road, Kensington High Street, Regent's Park and by the National Theatre. For up to date information on the locations of all of the docking stations, click on the Transport for London link below.

Transport for London Official Site

The Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme London initiative is official launched on Friday 30th July 2010. For more information on the scheme and to become a member, click on the link below.

Transport for London Cycle Hire Scheme

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