Boris' Bikes are spreading their wheels Pic: flickr
A map of the major expansion of the so-called ‘Boris Bikes’ to the East End has been revealed, showing where the new docking stations could be sited.
A PDF of the map, obtained by the Greens on the London Assembly, can be downloaded here.
The new cycle docking stations are expected to be in Tower Hamlets, North Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Bow, Canary Wharf, Mile End, Poplar and near the Olympic Park.
Additionally, many of the busier docking stations in central London are being expanded to improve the circulation of bikes.
There has been criticism that the Olympic park will not be getting any stations. In an Evening Standard report earlier last month, Boris Johnson revealed that the closest station to the Olympic Park would be in Cadogan Close, off Cadogan Terrace on the eastern side of Victoria Park in Hackney.
The London mayor said that none of the hire bikes will be allowed in Stratford during the 2012 Games and will have to be parked in the neighbouring borough of Tower Hamlets.
Cycling campaigner, Jenny Jones, the Green mayoral candidate, said: “One look at the map makes it clear how silly it is to have this eastward expansion of the cycle hire scheme in the Games year, but not to take it anywhere near the Olympic park. The Mayor should get down to Hackney and identify a few more sites, so people can ride these bikes to the games.”
Docking stations planned for the line
TFL has submitted 12 applications to Tower Hamlets Council for new docking stations containing a total of 350 spaces in May. The public consultation period is still taking place.
The plans include a 63-space rack in Mile End Road and others at Bow and Shadwell stations, Bethnal Green and Roman Road.
The scheme will eventually encompass 8000 bikes and 14,400 docking points.
Barclays Cycle Hire or ‘Boris Bikes’ was launched on in July last year, beginning with 5000 bikes for hire and 315 docking stations. There were over one million journeys made within the first ten weeks of the scheme.
