Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
wake the machine up by pressing any button on the panel near the front tire. When the
light comes on, punch in the number. After the yellow light blinks, a green light will ap-
pear: Now you can (firmly) pull the bike out of the slot.
When your ride is over, find a station with an empty slot, then push your bike in until
it locks and the green light flashes.
You can hire bikes as often as you like (which will start your free 30-minute period
over again), as long as you wait five minutes between each use. There can be problems, of
course—stations at popular locations (such as entrances to parks) can temporarily run out
of bikes, and you may have trouble finding a place to return a bike—but for the most part,
this system works great. To make things easier, get a map of the docking stations—pick
one up at any major Underground station. It's also available online at
www.tfl.gov.uk
(click on “Barclays Cycle Hire”) and as a free smartphone app (
http://cyclehireapp.com
)
.
Helmets are not provided, so ride carefully. Stay to the far-left side of the road and
watch closely at intersections for
left
-turning cars. Be aware that in most parks (including
Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens) only certain paths are designated for bike use—you can't
ride just anywhere. Maps posted at park entrances identify bike paths, and non-bike paths
are generally clearly marked.
Some bike tour companies also rent bikes—for details, see
here
.
By Car
If you have a car, stow it—you don't want to drive in London. If you need convincing,
here's one more reason: A
£
10
congestion charge
is levied on any private car entering the
city center during peak hours (Mon-Fri 7:00-18:00, no charge Sat-Sun and holidays, fee
payable at gas stations, convenience stores, and self-service machines at public parking
lots, or online at
www.cclondon.com
)
. Traffic cameras photograph and identify every
vehicle that enters the fee zone; if you get spotted and don't pay up by midnight that day
(or pay
£
12 before midnight of the following day), you'll get socked with a penalty of at
least
£
60. The system has been effective in cutting down traffic jam delays and bolster-
ing London's public transit. The revenue that's raised subsidizes the buses, which are now
cheaper, more frequent, and even more user-friendly than before. Today, the vast majority
of vehicles in the city center are buses, taxis, and service trucks.
To sightsee on your own, download my series of free audio tours that illuminate some of
London's top sights and neighborhoods (see sidebar on
here
for details).
