Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the eastward expansion of the London bike hire scheme, said:
“Today’s eastward expansion of the bike hire scheme is welcome, but in reality we need to do far more to improve the scheme so it can be enjoyed by far more Londoners.
“The fun and excitement of the bike hire scheme has now largely gone.
“Instead of every bike looking as if it is the property of Barclays Bank, let’s get some limited edition bikes on London’s roads to help celebrate some incredible events taking place in London this Summer.
“We should for example have new bikes celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. A decade ago we had 50 London buses painted gold to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee so why not have some new bikes on our roads to mark this year’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary? And why not new bikes celebrating other events as well, such as World Pride London and the Olympics?
“New bikes in different colours are just what are needed to put some fun and energy back into the bike hire scheme. Let’s have people looking out for and wanting to use these new bikes this Summer.
“We need to improve and expand the scheme, get new bikes on our roads and make our roads much safer - but most importantly we must make the scheme fun and attractive for a far wider range of people.”