Will Londoners get on their bike?

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by danielf

I guess our definition of reasonable differs. Most of the carp that say Halfords sell struggles to last a year without falling apart given frequent use. That type of bike is definitely not up to this type of use.

You don't have to go to Halfords for their Apollo carp. Their are reasonably priced, well built cycles available online and from your local cycle shop.

My Raleigh Hybrid aluminium bike cost me £199 over 6 years ago. You can still get a similar replacement model for £270. I do about 2000 commuter miles each year and probably average £40 a year for maintenance/repairs.

[Uncle Peter]

I hope these new cyclists are less of a danger to pedestrians (and themselves) than the existing ones.

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter

I hope these new cyclists are less of a danger to pedestrians (and themselves) than the existing ones.

Highly unlikely. Until there is some sort of compulsory proficiency test there will be suicidal idiots giving responsible cyclists a bad name.

People who used to cycle around their streets when they were kids can now go and play at being road cyclists around those big red buses and white vans. That's not a recipe for disaster at all, is it?

[nomadking]

The bikes are not cheap.

The bikes will cost '£800 or £900 each', Mr Johnson said. 'It's a lot of dosh for a bike, no question about it, but it will come down as the scheme expands,' he said.

[punky]

Originally Posted by nomadking

The bikes are not cheap.

When someone says "£800 or £900" it indicates that he doesn't know how much it costs. It has a clear figure. Everything has to be costed for in contract. I suspect its because he wants to the hide the fact that the scheme will pull in some nice revenue at its users' expense when the bikes are stolen.

I would dearly love to hear just how these bikes cost "£800 or £900" with a full breakdown.

[nomadking]

I suppose it could be the cost per bike including the costs of the whole system.

[xpod]

This temporary Londoner and his younger daughters are often on their bikes come the weekends (older ones are having none of it nowadays) but i doubt you`d ever catch me risking life or limb riding anywhere near the centre of London.
I actually used to enjoy driving until i moved down here so i`ll be damned if i`m going to spoil the cycling too.

I think I will do this:

My daily ticket on the tube, zones 6 to 1, costs £4.20. Making it £8.40 a day. £168 over four weeks.

If I were to get off in zone 2, would cost £2.20 making it £4.40 a day. £88 over four weeks.

A Saving of £80.

I would then cycle (or walk sometimes) to work and the scheme costs £45 a year. I would break even after 2 weeks!

[punky]

Originally Posted by Damien

I think I will do this:

My daily ticket on the tube, zones 6 to 1, costs £4.20. Making it £8.40 a day. £168 over four weeks.

If I were to get off in zone 2, would cost £2.20 making it £4.40 a day. £88 over four weeks.

A Saving of £80.

I would then cycle (or walk sometimes) to work and the scheme costs £45 a year. I would break even after 2 weeks!

Until you get to to your zone docking station and there are no bikes there. Or when you get to your work all the docking stations are full.

Personally I wouldn't rely on anyhting as important as getting to work on time on the bike scheme.

If you want to do something like that, i'd see if there is anywhere in Zone 2 you can store your bike safely and just buy one.

Originally Posted by punky

When someone says "£800 or £900" it indicates that he doesn't know how much it costs. It has a clear figure. Everything has to be costed for in contract. I suspect its because he wants to the hide the fact that the scheme will pull in some nice revenue at its users' expense when the bikes are stolen.

It would be hard to steal. The pricing (first 30 mins included with membership) and the prohibitive cost of it if you were to use it more than a few hours encourages you to use it to get from point a to b, then relinquish it. People won't be attaching it to a fence while they go into a cinema/shop/park.

---------- Post added at 16:05 ---------- Previous post was at 16:03 ----------

Originally Posted by punky

Until you get to to your zone docking station and there are no bikes there. Or when you get to your work all the docking stations are full.

Personally I wouldn't rely on anyhting as important as getting to work on time on the bike scheme.
.

Then I'll walk. The idea of the station being full is worrying but I'll check how busy the ones outside my work typically are.

---------- Post added at 16:06 ---------- Previous post was at 16:05 ----------

Originally Posted by punky

Until you get to to your zone docking station and there are no bikes there. Or when you get to your work all the docking stations are full.

Personally I wouldn't rely on anyhting as important as getting to work on time on the bike scheme.
.

Then I'll walk. The idea of the station being full is worrying but I'll check how busy the ones outside my work typically are.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

I have many complaints about cyclist's, they are totally mental, l have been a driver for over thirty years, and the times that l could have killed them, when they go through red lights or come over from being on the pavement, or coming up your left side and taking off your wing mirror.

They have to abide by the codes of the road, the same we do, Its ok to ride a cycle, l suppose the green people will say, it will be brilliant, BUT to me they are a menace.

[AntiSilence]

Sounds like madness to me. Just buy a decent bike (mine was £315 in a sale, cut down from £399) and that was just over 2 years ago. That's saved me roughly £600 a year in bus fare. I've just today spent £65 on new parts to replace some worn out parts (crank, chain, gear cassette and bottom bracket).

And, I have cover in my house insurance to cover bikes for up to £1500 if they get stolen while not in my house. And that cost me an extra couple of quid in my monthly fee.

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I have many complaints about cyclist's, they are totally mental, l have been a driver for over thirty years, and the times that l could have killed them, when they go through red lights or come over from being on the pavement, or coming up your left side and taking off your wing mirror.

They have to abide by the codes of the road, the same we do, Its ok to ride a cycle, l suppose the green people will say, it will be brilliant, BUT to me they are a menace.

strange as it may seem Arthur does raise a good point as does London road ,if this scheme takes off and i see no reason why it shouldn't ,shouldn't the people using them have to take a proficiency test before registering for the scheme ,i mean elf 'n' safety has to be considered in our compensation culture and maybe a short term insurance policy similar to car hire should be used

[AntiSilence]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I have many complaints about cyclist's, they are totally mental, l have been a driver for over thirty years, and the times that l could have killed them, when they go through red lights or come over from being on the pavement, or coming up your left side and taking off your wing mirror.

They have to abide by the codes of the road, the same we do, Its ok to ride a cycle, l suppose the green people will say, it will be brilliant, BUT to me they are a menace.

Don't tar me with the same brush, thank you. Not *all* cyclists are the same. I stop at red lights and give way at roundabouts. I've seen some idiot cyclists too, but I'm not one of them.

I also have to say that not all you car drivers are the angels you think you are either. I've had a few idiots in cars/vans do similar things.

That includes a couple of drivers who have jumped a red light at a crossing and almost ran people over who were crossing the road.

Originally Posted by martyh

strange as it may seem Arthur does raise a good point as does London road ,if this scheme takes off and i see no reason why it shouldn't ,shouldn't the people using them have to take a proficiency test before registering for the scheme ,i mean elf 'n' safety has to be considered in our compensation culture and maybe a short term insurance policy similar to car hire should be used

I think Boris will biff the elf 'n' safety fairy square in the backside if they make a fuss.