Pedal power

Our report, published in November 2010, supports the Cycle Hire scheme but is uncertain that the Cycle Superhighways are so far achieving their goals. It also identifies a number of questions about the quality of the operation of the schemes and their funding arrangements.

Since then, in June 2011, the Committee has written to Transport for London about reports of ongoing problems with the cycle hire scheme that have prompted TfL to withhold payment from Serco and issue it with a 'critical improvement' plan. TfL has responded to our letter setting out more details about the situation with Serco.

Key findings of the Pedal Power report:

• Our survey identified some teething problems in the Cycle Hire scheme, particularly in relation to registration, charging and poor customer service.
• The Superhighways were designed to provide safer cycling routes, yet the survey found that more than half of respondents did not feel any safer.
• The report finds information about the precise nature and allocation of Barclay’s sponsorship of the scheme unclear.

Recommendations

Our report asks the Mayor and TfL to report back on how they are addressing issues raised by the committee, including:

• Problems with registration, charges and poor service from Serco’s customer service centre, as well as a lack of bikes and available docking points in certain areas;
• Greater consistency in the features on future Cycle Superhighways, for example the width of the lanes, advanced stop lines and junction improvement; and
• The potential to increase the amount of cycle parking.

Watch a video about our report, Pedal Power: