Yellow Bikes Are Coming Back to Borough's Streets

---

After H&F council agrees deal with dockless sharing cycle company ofo

Yellow bikes like this one are set to become a common sight in our local streets, after H&F Council agreed a deal with dockless sharing cycle company ofo.

Last year a rival company removed hundreds of similar bikes from our streets, following concerns about them being dumped and obstructing our pacements.

Now though, the council says it has has negotiated with ofo to minimise these potential problems.

ofo was launched in 2014 by CEO David Dai and partners, who were students at Peking University and saw an opportunity to use smart technology to boost cycling in the city.

Its service is now available in over 180 cities around the world to anyone with a smartphone.

Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment says the council is keen to encourage more people to get on their bikes, adding: "“ ofo’s service is a welcome addition to H&F. It’s easy to use and means fewer people will need to rely on cars, or public transport for their short journeys in and out of the borough.

“Any dockless bike scheme needs to be the right one, delivered in the right way for our borough and we will be keeping a firm eye on ofo to make sure they keep our pavements and roads tidy."

The service, which will be available in addition to the existing Santander Cycles scheme, has already successfully launched in other UK cities including Cambridge, Oxford, Sheffield, Norwich, Edinburgh and other parts of London.

Users simply download the app to unlock and book a bike. There is a minimum charge of 70p for the first half hour, with a maximum of £5 per day. To find out more, visit the website.

June 15, 2018