The latest hair-brained schemed from London’s famously floppy-haired Mayor Boris Johnson launches this Friday, bringing his long awaited cycle dreams to life.

Imagine an alternative to sweaty tube rides and overcrowded buses, expensive taxis and congestion charges? Well now there is another option: the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme. If you want to get in on the action as soon as possible, make sure you register at www.tfl.gov.uk to become a member and have access for a year. It only costs £45 and is great if you want quick and regular access to the bikes.

However, if you can wait a little bit longer for this new transport service, next month the pay-as-you-go option launches. The whole scheme is trying to encourage short journeys, therefore it is free for the first half an hour, £1 for an hour and jumps to £50 for a day’s rental (without access fees). One of the best things about the Cycle Hire scheme is that the bikes are available 24 hours a day – just don’t be tempted to pick one up after a big night out.

So when the scheme is officially up and running for everyone, you can pay for the bikes online, by phone or at the docking stations. First there is an access fee of £1 for a day or £5 for a week, and then you pay for however much time you need or want during the day. Follow the instructions at the docking stations and you’ll get the picture.

The main thing to be wary of is returning the bikes on time, otherwise you may be faced with a £150 fine, or even £300 if you don’t return it. Also the bike is entirely your responsibility when it’s in your possession so if it is lost or stolen you will be held liable.

Don’t worry if something goes wrong with your bike, just take it to the nearest docking station (all are about 300m apart) and press the fault button and pick up a new one. If a terminal is full, simply locate the nearest free one at the docking station. By the end of the summer there should be around 6,000 bikes available at 400 docking stations, and with 10,200 spaces for bikes you should be fine finding a free spot!

So get pedalling your way to a fitter, healthier London lifestyle and jump the queue and register to be a member today!

By Gabriella Patterson