The film is full of cracking one-liners. Plus lots of silly dialogue that, for some reason, makes one glad to be alive
Oil companies stand accused of cheating London motorists out of £1.50 a tank after the price slumped again on world markets
More...
Mayor wants London to copy Paris bike rentals
By Ross Lydall, Evening Standard Last updated at 11:08am on 10.08.07
Freewheeling: reporter Alex Stephens tests the self-service bicycle hire scheme in Paris, where 10,000 are available
Paris communal: there are 750 bike racks across the city <b>Paris communal: there are 750 bike racks across the city
Ken Livingstone is considering a plan to offer thousands of bikes for rent for short trips across central London.
The Mayor is keen to copy the Parisian idea of providing 10,000 self-service cycles that can be unlocked from racks and used for up to 30 minutes at a time.
He saw the scheme for himself first hand when he joined the city's mayor, Bertrand Delanoë, for the final stage of the Tour de France last month and has now asked Transport for London officials to investigate.
Since being introduced in the French capital three weeks ago, the Vélib (short for free or freedom-bikes in French) project has surprised cynics with its popularity.
The heavy grey bikes are available from 750 places, many near rail and metro stations, for a one euro (65p) fee for each half-hour of cycling. They have been hired 1.2 million times - each being used six times a day.
Subscribers to the scheme must pay ¤29 (£20) a year, give their credit card details and leave a ¤150 credit card deposit. They are given a card to unlock the bikes from automated stations.
The Mayor, who boasts that cycling has increased by 83 per cent in London since he came to power, with about 450,000 journeys a day, is keen to maintain the momentum of travellers switching to two wheels.
He is holding a London Freewheel event next month, which will close miles of the capital's streets on a Sunday to encourage nervous cyclists back on their bikes, and sees it as one way of reducing emissions and improving the health of Londoners.
TfL has reportedly been asked to look at a city-wide scheme that would link the several small-scale ventures already in place and roll them out on a grander scale.
Former cabbie Bernie Hanning co-founded OYbikes three years ago, which operates from locations including Hammersmith, Fulham and West Kensington. Cyclists hire a bike free for 30 minutes after paying an initial £10 registration fee and phone the OYBike call centre to get the code to unlock the bike. Another scheme in Tower Hamlets encourages employers with tax benefits to provide pooled bikes for staff.
Dave Holladay, a veteran cycling enthusiast who advises the CTC, the national cycling organisation, welcomed the large-scale scheme. But he said previous attempts had failed due to the opposition of rail companies to provide space for bike racks.
He told The Times: "It takes no more than 15 minutes to get to any central London terminus by bike, so there could be huge benefits for the city." However, in Paris, commuters from high-level areas such as Montmartre have taken to riding the bikes downhill to work but not the tough return journey. Vandals have also damaged bikes.
Reader views (29)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
It is indeed a great idea which I saw in practice in Lyon recently. However, it really must work properly to avoid widespread disatisfaction. In Paris people are already complaining about broken bikes, empty stands to pick up a bike or stands too full to return one and don't seem too pleased with the company (JC Decaux) that's responsible for the service. London must make sure that it gets it right from the start.
- Cedric, London
You have my vote mayor if you introduce the bike to London and provide lots more cycle lanes, especially major roads and rat runs.
- Kt, London
Just went to Paris for the weekend and found out about these bikes while we were there. Fantastic idea for Central Paris with its wide boulevards and open spaces. My wife and I spent a wonderful Sunday afternoon enjoying the sights by bike. I think if it were to work in London then all traffic, with the exception of public transport and taxis would need to be stopped between 8am and 6pm. Still if they can figure out a way to introduce it then I would be fully supportive.
- Stephen E., London, England
12°c
17°c
