[1] Visitors and Londoners will later this week have their
first chance to join the big city bike rental revolution.
Following ∈ the path of Montreal, Paris, and Cardiff, London
[4] mayor Boris Johnson is to unveil the Barclays Cycle Hire
scheme this Friday, and Londoners and visitors will have
access to almost-free bike hire ∈30−minute bursts. Over the
[7] past few weeks new docking stations have been appearing
across central London ∈ readiness for the 6,000 bikes that will
be available for rent. The scheme is modelled on the Bixi
[10] project that has become a big success ∈ the Canadian city of
Montreal, and even uses similar bikes. Once you’ve paid a £1
a day access charge, the first half an hour’s rental is free, and
[13] you can make as many 30-minute trips ∈ the day as you like
without paying a penny more.
From this Friday, and for the first month, it will only
[16] be open to those who become members by registering online
and agreeing to pay £3 for a smartcard. After that period the
scheme will be opened to everyone. Once fully up and running,
[19] spontaneous users will be able to go to one of the capital’s 400
docking stations, enter their credit or debit card details, select
a bike and ride off. When they have finished that journey, they
[22] deposit the bike at the nearest docking station. You can repeat
this as many times as you like during the day – or ∈ the period
for which you have paid to access the bikes.
[25] Transport for London, which is behind the scheme,
says it is aimed at those ∈ the capital who need to make short,
repeated journeys, rather than longer rentals. Potential users
[28] need to be aware that if they return their bike after their access
time has expired, they face a punitive £150 late return charge.
If the bike goes missing, or is damaged by the hirer – or
[31] vandals – the hirer will have to pay up to £300 to cover the
loss. Punctures are considered wear and tear.
Miles Brignall. London joins the bike rental revolution. In: The Guardian. Internet: <www.guardian.co.uk>.
Judge the item that follow according to the text above.
London’s bike rental program is better than Montreal’s.
