Boris Bikes hit the streets in New York

Citibike, the New York version of Barclays Cycle Hire, has launched for members. With 6,000 bikes at over 300 stations, it's the biggest bike sharing system in the US so far, not quite as big as the London scheme yet, but it's only the first week, and it aims to grow. The bikes are differently branded, but are, to all intents, Boris bikes with an American flavour.

Here's the Standard's report, and one from the Huffington Post.

Despite the 'nimby's, cycle hire is here to stay, launching in New York, growing in London, and a feature of many other big cities. I'll be keeping a close eye on how the New York system is received in the coming weeks.

Can't stop the Bikes

Good news coming from Kenisngton and Chelsea, where planning for the new Boris Bike docks is at an advanced stage.

The crucial decision over Lavender Gardens in Wandsworth borough is due next week.

And though this blog was set up to comment exclusively on cycle hire issues, I would draw your attention to the work a number of us have been engaged with in the Regent Street / Haymarket area. This part of town is quite dense with docking stations, yet a nightmare of conflict between traffic and cyclists. Let's hope for a resolution which benefits us all.

And maybe Westminster are eventually seeing the light on cycling. This article in the Evening Standard suggests they are starting to take safety seriously.