A cycle hire network for London is a step closer after Transport for London (TfL) appointed operator Serco to run the system, but Wandsworth cyclists could be waiting years for it to reach the borough.
TfL has already confirmed more than a quarter of the 400 cycle docking station sites, where people can pick-up and drop-off hire cycles, for the London Cycle Hire scheme, have received planning permission.
But, due to be launched in summer 2010, the scheme will be based in nine boroughs located in the zone one - Camden, Hackney, Lambeth, Islington, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and City of Westminster and the City of London - and could take years to reach Wandsworth.
A TfL spokesman said he hoped the success of the scheme would mean the project is extended outside zone one, but would not commit to any dates.
Battersea residents and cycle campaigner, Martin Ireland, said Wandsworth residents were losing out. "We've missed out here. it is a good scheme but more needs to be more done to help Wandsworth cyclists.”
Mr Ireland said local authorities needed to look at how local schemes could link into the Mayor’s model.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The choice of operator will be key to the success of our scheme and I am thrilled Serco have decided to saddle up for London.
"They can’t wait to get cracking on helping us get thousands more Londoners on two wheels and I’m sure that the cycling revolution taking place in the Capital will rapidly become the envy of the world.”
The launch of the 6,000 hire bicycles next year is expected to generate about 40,000 extra cycle trips a day in central London, TfL said.
Further information on the design of the bicycles, docking stations and terminals, will be released later this year.
The contract with Serco, which also operates and maintains the Docklands Light Railway, is valued at approximately £140m over six years, split between installation and operation of the scheme.
Revenue from the scheme will be paid directly to TfL.
TfL said there has been 107 per cent growth in cycle journeys in London since it was created in 2000.
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