Peddling myths over London's bike hire scheme (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Peddling myths over London's bike hire scheme

August 14, 2010 1:43 PM

bicycle • [Aug 14]: Caroline Pidgeon* writes: IN London one of the most exciting developments this year has been the long awaited launch of the bike hire scheme.

Despite its launch being associated with quite a number of problems . . no one can deny that the scheme is proving incredibly popular. And let's be realistic, no major scheme ever starts without at least some minor teething problems. Of course I will be chasing hard until these glitches are resolved, and they certainly must be, but the bottom line is that the bike hire scheme is a tremendous idea . .

. . if any politician should really take the credit for the scheme it must be Lynne Featherstone, my predecessor as the Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson.

Way back in the Summer of 2001, just a year after Ken Livingstone had been elected as an independent Mayor of London, a detailed proposal for a bike hire scheme in London was put to the then Mayor by Lynne.

Ken Livingstone responded to Lynne, with the full details of his reply set out in a letter dated the 29 September 2001. Although he responded positively, he said the issue needed to be investigated further. Regrettably, in practice nothing happened for many years.

. . As for Boris Johnson I suggest he spends far less time peddling the claim that he invented the idea of London's bike hire scheme and instead sorts out the initial problems with the scheme. Having allocated £140 million to the scheme he must ensure that the 6000 bikes are constantly put to good use and that any expansion of the scheme targets areas that aren't covered by the tube.

Surely, that is not too much to ask?

leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group in City Hall and Vice Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee.

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: