Barclays Cycle Hire

The Boris Bike revolution
Noteworthy for: Introduced in 2010, there are now millions of journeys made, with 6,000 bikes available in Zone 1 from 400 docking stations.

Word to the wise: While some vehicle drivers are cycle-aware, others can be dangerously oblivious. Turn on your lights by dusk and stick to cycle paths.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson Barclays' Cycle Hire has sprung up all over the city. Nicknamed Boris Bikes, regular users can register to hire them on the TfL website and are sent a key (GBP 3), which unlocks a bike from a docking station. Casual users can pay with credit or debit cards following on screen instructions at the terminal.

They do not come with locks, and are intended for getting to your destination, docking, then getting a new bike for your next journey. There are maps at each station and online to locate the nearest terminal to your destination.

Local government are aiming to make bikes as common as black cabs and red buses. However, for the complete novice, cycling through Central London can feel like running the gauntlet. Stick to the parks and quiet paths, or cycle along the canal from East to West London for a lovely day trip.