ROWS of black and green bikes have been sprouting up across Nottingham as the city's 'Boris bike' scheme is extended.
When the cycle hire scheme was launched, bikes were only available from two locations – but new hubs have been cropping up across the city bringing the total to 11.
The bikes are free to use for people with Kangaroo travel cards, while hire costs start from £2 per week for others.
It runs in a similar way to the scheme in London set up by Mayor Boris Johnson.
Jane Parr, a 56-year-old admin worker from Winchester Street, Sherwood, said the scheme helps make Nottingham a green city.
She said: "It's an excellent idea, it's great for health, good to see people cycling around and keeps carbon emissions down.
"It'll keep cars out of the city and help create provision for cyclists that wouldn't be there without it."
Pensioner John Shelton, 76, of Moor's Lane, Bingham, said: "We have to make sure they're safe to use around the city.
"I can't see any available for toddlers or young kids either. That would be ideal for mums taking kids on a day out.
"I think I would still use one though."
New stands for the bikes have been put up at Maid Marian Way at the junction with Friar Gate and at the Holiday Inn on Tollhouse Hill in recent weeks.
Other locations for the stands include Thurland Street, outside the Maudsley Building of Nottingham Trent University on Goldsmith Street and Nottingham Contemporary building in Fletcher Gate.
Previously the bikes were only available from the Broad Marsh bus station and the Tourist Information Centre in Smithy Row.
Hugh McClintock, chairman of Notts cycling campaign group Pedals, said: "We've seen the expansion of the scheme and it's very positive stuff – anything that promotes cycling in the city is good news as far as we're concerned.
"As more bikes are used, the more widely people will see them and the more they will be used. They're a fantastic idea."
At the launch of the scheme, the city council had 100 bikes available for hire with this expected to rise to 250 by the end of next year.
The scheme got off to a rocky start with an average of fewer than one person a day using the bikes between its launch in October and the following March.
However Councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for Planning and Transportation, said: "Citycard cycles are convenient and great for the environment.
"I'm proud that we have been able to launch this scheme in Nottingham for the summer and hope many people take advantage of the chance to hire a bike.
"The cycles are available for day use and also for longer-term commuter use.
"I'm pleased to say we already have a growing number of people taking advantage of this and the expansion means an even greater number of people will be able to do so."
Among those trying out the cycles yesterday was Lewis Ollendorf, an 18-year-old student visiting from Berlin.
He and his friends had taken a ride across the city and said: "It's been great, we've been down to cycle along the River Trent. They handle pretty well too."
A new scheme allowing people to book a bike using a mobile phone began in May.
The scheme has been funded entirely by the Department for Transport, costing up to £350,000, and is being implemented over two years with plans to add a hub at tourist attractions including Wollaton Park.
The council expects to spend no more than £50,000 per year to keep the scheme running.