ROWS of black-and-green cycles are set to appear across the city as Nottingham launches its first free bike scheme.
Similar to the blue "Boris bikes" in London, they will be available from at least 17 different bike stands across Nottingham.
Adrian Juffs, 51, of Chilwell, who is a senior instructor for Nottingham cycling group Ridewise, has already put them to the test.
He took a group of cyclists out on the new bikes for the first time this week.
He said: "They're great for what they're designed to do. You've got big, flat seats which are good for people who are not used to cycling, they have three gears, lights and locks.
"It's not much money at all, it's very cheap."
He admits the bikes are heavy, so perhaps not ideal for long journeys.
But that is the point – the city council hopes they will be used by commuters for short journeys to reduce traffic coming into the city. It is hoped that, with bike racks at Wollaton Park and Nottingham Castle, they will also be used by tourists.
The bikes are free to use for Kangaroo travel card-holders and start at £2 a week for others – considerably cheaper than London, which charges £1 for an hour or £50 for 24 hours.
But they differ from the Boris bikes – named after London mayor Boris Johnson – because they are not locked in electronic docking stations. Instead, they come with their own locks and can be locked anywhere when not being used.
It would have cost £2 million to roll out a London-style system in Nottingham, whereas this will cost up to £350,000 – and has been entirely funded by the Department for Transport.
The council expects to spend no more than £50,000 per year to keep the scheme running.
The bikes are similar to a scheme that is used in Blackpool, on which it has been modelled.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for planning and transport at, said: "One of Nottingham's strengths is that it is a relatively compact city, which makes getting around by bike very easy. And, as a keen cyclist myself, I can vouch for that. It can be one of the quickest, cheapest and greenest modes of transport.
"It's also very good exercise, which saves on expensive gym fees."
One hundred bikes have been bought already but this is expected to rise to 250 over the next two years.
The bikes can only be hired from the Tourist Information Centre, in Smithy Row, and Broadmarsh Bus Station at the moment but 15 more locations will be added by the end of the year.
Covered cycle "cages" are also being introduced across Nottingham where people will be able to lock their own bikes up more securely.
They will have cycle stands, CCTV, lighting and Citycard activated lockers, open 24 hours.
They are already in place at Broadmarsh Bus Station, Nottingham Station, Fletcher Gate Car Park, Queens Drive Park and Ride and the Racecourse Park and Ride.
By the end of 2013, they will also be at the Victoria Centre car park, Bulwell tram and train station, Beeston train station and Hucknall train station as well as leisure centres and libraries.
What do you think? Will you be using the new bikes? Email your views to newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
