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Cycling: would a ‘pay-as-you-go’ bike scheme be good for London?

Presented by

Carolina Ribeiro

Submit questions by Nov 15 2007
Interview published on Nov 29 2007

Introduction

Inspired by a scheme introduced in Paris in July, Ken Livingstone has ordered a feasibility study into a ‘pay-as-you-go’ bike scheme for London. Since cycling is being heavily promoted by Transport for London as both a healthy and congestion beating way to travel around the capital, having a ‘pick up a bike’ system could help convince people to adopt peddle-power.

While no-one disputes that cycling is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel, the heavy-duty bicycles that might soon be available at hundreds of pick-up points are unlikely to come with helmets, security gear or a crash course on the Highway Code.

Do cycle networks need to be improved, and cyclists trained and licensed at the dawn of an era where picking up a bike could be easier waving down a bus? .

Should this project be implemented in London? Would it be safe or is cycling too hazardous in a city as big and busy as the capital?

Here is your chance to ask the experts about the ‘pay-as-you-go’ bike scheme for London.

Participants

Philip Ingham, 41, is a life-long cyclist and communications manager for British Cycling, the internationally recognised governing body of cycling in the United Kingdom. The organization underpins cycling with programmes focusing on facilities, major events, coaching, volunteers, club development and grass-roots participation. In conjunction with its funding partners, British Cycling has a five year strategy for the development of cycling, and is also committed to broadening participation in leisure cycling in the UK.

Richard Tomkins is consumer industries editor and chief feature writer of the Financial Times. He recently wrote a feature-length article about the need for 'proper rules for cyclists', in which he explained why he thinks it is time London punishes the abuse of peddle-power. 'I do not want to stop people cycling but I do want them to realise that the green halo hovering over their helmets does not put them in a special category of road users to whom no laws apply', he wrote. Richard was born in Walsall, England, in 1952. His formal education ended when he left King Edward's School, Birmingham, at the age of 17. Before becoming a journalist, he was (among other things) a factory worker, a truck driver, a restaurant cashier, a civil servant and an assistant private secretary to a government minister.

Philip Ingham (show answers)

sunnyday asked Philip Ingham: "Have you tried the "pick up a bike" scheme in Paris and do you think it would work in London?" Have you tried the "pick up a bike" scheme in Paris and do you think it would work in London?
Philip Ingham answered this question from sunnyday in Yoosk Interview
"No, I've not tried it, but I believe it can work anywhere as long as it is thoroughly thought through and there is commitment to it." No, I've not tried it, but I believe it can work anywhere as long as it is thoroughly thought through and there is commitment to it.
0 comment | Topic: Politics | Email to friends

MTyrrell asked Philip Ingham: "Is the current infrastructure for bicycles in London up to the task of supporting this kind of scheme? " Is the current infrastructure for bicycles in London up to the task of supporting this kind of scheme?
Philip Ingham answered this question from MTyrrell in Yoosk Interview
"Provision for Cycling in London is improving all the time. It's always a challenge to provide safe cycling in the traffic heavy and restrictive environment of a big city, but London seems to be increasingly..." Show more» Provision for Cycling in London is improving all the time. It's always a challenge to provide safe cycling in the traffic heavy and restrictive environment of a big city, but London seems to be increasingly aware of the importance of the bicycle as a form of transport. With events like the 2007 Tour de France and the 2012 Olympics coming to the city, and the wider movement towards more sustainable and integrated transport systems, London looks to be putting the cyclist's needs a lot further up the priority list. So, if it's not ready yet, it probably soon will be. Plus, can you see London wanting to be out-done by Paris? Show less«
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PikkuMemy asked Philip Ingham: "How can you really make the "pick up the bike" system work in London? At a moment the only people who pick up the bikes in the capital are the thiefs, who have stolen 4 of my bikes so far. Do..." Show more» How can you really make the "pick up the bike" system work in London? At a moment the only people who pick up the bikes in the capital are the thiefs, who have stolen 4 of my bikes so far. Do you think this system could be expensive to introduce in London? Show less«
Philip Ingham answered this question from PikkuMemy in Yoosk Interview
"It can work, but only if it's properly planned and has commitment and backing of the relevant authorities. Dumping a lot of bikes on the streets wouldn't work - it's been tried elsewhere - but modern ..." Show more» It can work, but only if it's properly planned and has commitment and backing of the relevant authorities. Dumping a lot of bikes on the streets wouldn't work - it's been tried elsewhere - but modern pick-up schemes are viable where they are done properly. Compared to many of the alternatives - upgrading public transport, new roads etc - it would be very inexpensive. That, along with the health benefits and the low impact cycling has on the environment (both in terms of pollution and in terms of things like noise and danger to pedestrians) make it very cost effective. Show less«
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bonzo1 asked Philip Ingham: "I can see this scheme being popular during our brief summers, but what about during our long winters? Do you see the British Public cycling in any great numbers during the winter? " I can see this scheme being popular during our brief summers, but what about during our long winters? Do you see the British Public cycling in any great numbers during the winter?
Philip Ingham answered this question from bonzo1 in Yoosk Interview
"Cycling is hugely popular year round in many northern European countries with climates every bit as bad as ours. That suggests to me that the weather is, generally, not the deciding factor in the success..." Show more» Cycling is hugely popular year round in many northern European countries with climates every bit as bad as ours. That suggests to me that the weather is, generally, not the deciding factor in the success of city cycling schemes. From personal experience, a properly equipped bicycle, with mudguards, lights etc is practical to use for commuting in all but very wet, icy/snowy or windy weather - in other words, the odd day here and there, all year round. There's nothing quite like cycling on a crisp winter day! Show less«
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athosampaio asked Philip Ingham: "There are other factors to changing your car to a bike than just the environment or chaotic traffic. How to convince people to give up other car-rider's pleasures, such as having a company you can talk..." Show more» There are other factors to changing your car to a bike than just the environment or chaotic traffic. How to convince people to give up other car-rider's pleasures, such as having a company you can talk to on the way; the comfort of a car seat; the privacy enjoyed inside? Moreover, what about activities such as listening to music while you drive; having a hot coffee; or smoking a cigarette -- those should be much harder on a bike (some of them, quite awkward and not really environmental-friendly. Would those 'pleasures' have to be regulated? Show less«
Philip Ingham answered this question from athosampaio in Yoosk Interview
"It's the biggest challenge. I know how much healthier/fitter I am for commuting on a bike and not in a car. I also know how much less stressful cycling is than commuting in a car. But getting that message..." Show more» It's the biggest challenge. I know how much healthier/fitter I am for commuting on a bike and not in a car. I also know how much less stressful cycling is than commuting in a car. But getting that message through to other people is a challenge. I don't expect to see a wholesale migration onto bikes, but with the right backing, planning, communication etc. and with help from employers etc., a steady, gradual increase in the use of cycling is very possible. We're not a country prone to revolutions - what we're looking to do here is encourage a steady evolution in our commuting habits – one which has already begun. Show less«
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Richard Tomkins (show answers)

Londontowner asked Richard Tomkins: "Richard, have you ever witnessed a cyclist cause a serious accident?" Richard, have you ever witnessed a cyclist cause a serious accident?
Richard Tomkins answered this question from Londontowner in Yoosk Interview
"No, but I don't think I've ever witnessed anyone cause a serious accident. The chances of witnessing a serious accident at the moment it occurs are small. However, I do very often see cyclists riding..." Show more» No, but I don't think I've ever witnessed anyone cause a serious accident. The chances of witnessing a serious accident at the moment it occurs are small. However, I do very often see cyclists riding in a way that threatens to cause a serious accident, usually to themselves. I'm especially concerned about the large numbers of cyclists I see positioning themselves on the inside of vehicles turning left. Only last week, outside the gates of our local primary school, I saw a taxi approach with its left indicator flashing and slow down to take the left turn - then watched in horror as a woman wearing iPod earphones serenely overtook the taxi on the inside, forcing him to stop in mid-manouevre to avoid running her down. She then went cycling straight on up the road, completely oblivious to the fact that she'd just nearly died.(The taxi driver did not sound his horn.) I think a fairly large majority of the cyclists I see on the road each day are completely clueless about the most basic rules of road safety. I'm also very concerned about the danger that cyclists present to pedestrians. Where I live, in the City of London, many cyclists seem to believe they are above the law and choose to ignore most road traffic laws. They go through red lights during the pedestrian crossing phase, cycle on the pavement when it suits them and simply ignore one-way streets. Although this behaviour does not kill pedestrians, it can injure them and it is also very intimidating, making pedestrians feel unsafe on the streets. For pedestrians, cyclists are much more frightening than motorists because motorists for the most part behave predictably and stick to their own space, while cyclists come at you from any and every direction and you've no idea what crazy thing they're going to do next. I accept that many cyclists are law-abiding but there are very large numbers who are not, and they give all cyclists a bad name. Show less«
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Unanswered questions (click to display)

Paul1978 is asking Richard Tomkins : "Do you believe a Rent a Bike scheme might be an opening for more unprepared cyclists to get to the streets of London?" "Do you believe a Rent a Bike scheme might be an opening for more unprepared cyclists to get to the streets of London?"
25
0 comment | Topic:Politics | Email to friends | Nov 09 2007 5:12:35 PM

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