The Mayor of London cycled into Wandsworth to officially launch the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme.

Docking stations in Putney, Wandsworth Town and Battersea went live this morning, with the remaining docking stations launching in spring.

The launch follows the announcement earlier this week Barclays are withdrawing their sponsorship in 2015, with the contract initially planned to continue to 2018.

Boris Johnson pedalled into Wandsworth from Hammersmith and Fulham and was one of the first people to use the docking station in Podmore Road, Wandsworth.

Sixty docking stations are now operating in the north of Wandsworth, with hopes to expand the scheme to the rest of the borough.

Mr Johnson said: "Our iconic bikes have changed the face of the capital since their launch three years ago and this expansion into great swathes of south west London will enable even more people to hop on them."

When pressed about Barclays he said already businesses have expressed an interest in becoming the news sponsors.

He said: "I am very grateful to Barclays for what they have given us so far, they have got a perfect right to vary it. I think they have done a great job supporting cycling so far."

A focus is being placed on transport hubs and town centres, with the largest docking station in London going live at Clapham Junction station.

Mr Johnson said money is being spent on making cycling safer in light of the recent deaths in the capital.

He said: "We are putting billions of pounds into the roads and a huge scheme to educate adults and children.

"We are changing lorries to make them safer, we are clamping down on people jumping red lights. The big thing is increasing cycle lanes."

Councillor Russell King, cabinet member for transport, said: "There’s been real excitement building in Wandsworth about this scheme’s arrival and today local people can finally start to use these fantastic blue bikes to get around the borough.

"Cycle hire is a valuable and pollution free addition to our transport network which can help reduce traffic jams and ease overcrowding on our tubes, trains and buses."

The council is also offering free cycling safety training to help people gain skills and confidence to try cycle hair.

To find the nearest docking station visit wandsworth.gov.uk/cyclehire. For information about cycle training visit wandsworth.gov.uk/cycling.

 

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