The feeling of whizzing past cars through a city on a bike is severely under-rated. I’ve always liked riding a bike, but it’s never been something I’ve pursued for very long – much like that drum kit you begged for as an eight year old, only for it to be collecting dust six months later when you decide that actually, now you really want to be an Olympic swimmer.
So, when the London bike scheme came to the city last year I was keen to try it, but wasn’t jumping out of my seat to be one of the first ones to don the bright blue vintage style set of wheels. The prospect of weaving through traffic somewhat naked in the freezing cold winter air seemed unappealing, but as soon as spring hit, I knew it was time to er, get back on the bike, so to speak.
And what a bike it is – all 30kg of it. Boris Johnson, London’s charismatic and slightly eccentric mayor approved the design and roll-out of over 30,000 bikes at 400 docking stations throughout the city, which has now proved to be a roaring success. Such a success that pretty much everyone in London now calls them ‘Boris bikes’ – not a bad marketing ploy!
It was three weeks ago that I finally took my first voyage on a Boris bike around south London and it was a revelation! How could I not have thought that cruising the London streets, wind blowing in the breeze would not be completely awesome?! Since then I’ve pretty much been on them every weekend, and now considering buying yearly access!
I read recently that more and more tourists are using the scheme than locals, which is great news – there’s no better way to see London! If you are in town then check it out. It’s far better than being stuck on the crowded tube, and while I may eat those words come winter, I’m going to stay loyal to the trusty bike for as long as possible. Thanks Boris!
Photo Credits – Thanks to morebyless (Attribution License)
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