Call for multi-coloured bike hire at WorldPride London

The leader of the Liberal Democrats’ group in the London Assembly has called for the city to roll out limited edition multi-coloured bikes for WorldPride this summer.

The Barclays Cycle Hire scheme, which started in 2010, is now being expanded eastwards into Tower Hamlets.

The Mayorwatch blog said the scheme had been accused of lacking a “fun” element.

After stints in Rome and Jerusalem, WorldPride will be coming to London ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will be organised by Pride London.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat leader on the London Assembly, said: “Instead of every bike looking as if it is the property of Barclays Bank let’s get some limited edition bikes on London’s roads to help celebrate some incredible events taking place in London this summer.

“We should for example have new bikes celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. A decade ago we had 50 London buses painted gold to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee so why not have some new bikes on our roads to mark this year’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary?

“And why not new bikes celebrating other events as well, such as WorldPride London and the Olympics?

“New bikes in different colours are just what are needed to put some fun and energy back into the bike hire scheme. Let’s have people looking out for and wanting to use these new bikes this Summer.”

The festivities are expected to take place from 23 June this summer and last for two weeks.

Last year, July saw the most use made of the scheme with over 240,000 casual journeys made.

Earlier this year, a residents group in Clapham apologised to the gay and trans community after it lodged opposition to the Pride House LGBT events planned to take place on the Common saying it could attract “undesirable elements” of the gay community.

PinkNews.co.uk has asked the Mayor’s office if repainting bikes ahead of WorldPride could be feasible.

• Nov 29 2023

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