Transport for London is pushing forth its plans for a cycle hire scheme in London, scheduled for completion next summer, and this week announced that Serco (an international service company) will be given the contract to set up and operate the new project.

Already Transport for London has received planning permission for a quarter of the required 400 cycle docking station sites that are integral to the success of the scheme.

When launched 6,000 bicycles based in the nine London boroughs and several Royal Parks that make up London’s zone one travel area, will be available. It’s expect that this will generate around 40,000 extra cycle trips a day in central London.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, says: “The choice of operator will be key to the success of our scheme and I am thrilled Serco have decided to saddle up for London. They can’t wait to get cracking on helping us get thousands more Londoners on two wheels and I’m sure that the cycling revolution taking place in the Capital will rapidly become the envy of the world.”

David Brown, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, added: “The London Cycle Hire scheme will be the most sustainable, environmentally friendly form of public transport ever seen in the Capital. Cycling is a quick, convenient and healthy way of making short journeys in London, and we’re confident that, from next summer, our exciting new cycle hire scheme will become an essential part of the transport network in central London.”