Time Out says
Thu Apr 1 2010
London's cycle hire scheme offers 5,000 specially designed bikes which can be hired from docking stations in Zone 1. After an initial fee, the first half-hour is free. Charges then start at £1 for up to an hour, going up to a maximum usage fee of £50 for 24 hours. However, as there are 300 docking stations from which you can pick up your bike, then drop it off once your journey is over, the scheme is more suited to shorter commuting, sightseeing and getting around town journeys. There are maps at each docking station to help riders pinpoint their location and continue with their journeys. If you sign up as a London Cycle Hire Scheme member (from £1 for 24-hour to £45 for annual membership), you get a key (£3) which gives easier access to the bikes. The Transport for London website has a journey planner tool which suggests routes for your specified destinations. The scheme was only open to members initially but casual usage is now in operation. Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards and Visa Electron are accepted. The scheme doesn't accept Maestro, Amex, Diners or JCB. In March 2012, the scheme expanded beyond central London, across the whole of Tower Hamlets, as well as to north Shoreditch, Camden Town, Canary Wharf and Westfield White City. There are now 2,300 extra bikes and 4,800 more docking stations in operation.
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