Boris bikes race to million rides in the first 10 weeks
The millionth journey on a Boris bike has been clocked up - just 10 weeks after the Mayor's £140million cycle hire scheme was launched.
The target was reached late last night on one of the busiest days so far. By midnight the total stood at 1,002,789 journeys since July 30.
The millionth rider, who may be named next week, will receive a free five-year subscription to the scheme for himself or herself plus three friends. The rider will also receive £1,000 to spend on cycle accessories at the Bobbin Bicycles boutique in Islington.
About 92,000 people have subscribed to the scheme - which costs up to £48 a year - and an average of 20,000 journeys are made every day on 5,247 bikes. Transport for London said today it still hoped to open the scheme to non-registered users "later this year", allowing bikes to be hired by swiping a credit card.
Only 338 of the promised 400 docking stations have been installed so far, meaning 4,703 bikes are normally available although an extra 544 are made available each day to cope with peaks in demand. T
hat leaves 743 of the 6,000 bikes still in storage awaiting more docking stations.
About 93 per cent of trips are under 30 minutes - meaning cyclists escape additional hire charges.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: "A million thank-yous go to Londoners for the warmth in which they have embraced our beautiful blue bikes. The zest in which people have taken to two wheels and joined the cycling revolution we are engendering in the capital has gladdened my heart."
