Share Cycling in London

Ever since Clover Moore started weaving cycleways into Sydney's skinny road system it seems that the on-road battle between drivers and cyclists has elevated into an ideological one with Miranda Devine, Andrew Bolt and Alan Jones on one side and the growing throng of bike commuters, fixie riders and the lycra set on the other.

Ever disappointed to see what should be a simple matter of choice in ways we get to work become and ideological and political bunfight, we were invigorated to see that in the UK cycling is a completely different story.

The system works like this:

You register for a day, a week or a year to be able to hire bikes. Only takes a moment (and a credit card).

You then pay as you go to hire a bike from one of hundreds of racks of cycles around the London CBD and inner-city suburbs.

First half hour is free, after that the price is modest.

Bust it or steal it and you bought it...yes, they have your credit card.

Word is that the system was looked upon with suspicion at first. Surely they'd all end up in the Thames? In practice it has been very different. You see the bikes being ridden by business-folk, student, tourists and pretty much everyone else. They are well liked and kept in good nick. There always seems to be one available (aparently vans redistribute them around the city to make up for peak hour movements) and, given how many people use them, you have to think they've taken cars off the road and the pressure off the public transport system.

But here's the best bit. The whole initiative was started by Boris Johnson, London's Conservative mayor. Yes, conservative. (This has lead to the bikes being affectionately nicknamed 'Boris Bikes').

And here's the other best bit. The scheme is now being rolled out across Europe, including in Ireland, where it has been a rampaging success too. Makes you wonder why our politicians can't look past their right-left American style ideology and instead come up with and back good ideas that improve our country iinstead of just trying to get cheap shots in on each other, of which cycling seems to have become one.

PS: Want to know how pervasive cycling has become in London? Have a look at all the bikes parked outside Parliament House.