Recent increases in subscription fees, the first fatal road collision in its three-year history and revelations about higher-than-expected running costs have meant the London Cycle hire scheme, more commonly referred to as Boris Bikes, has been having a rough time of it lately.
To further add to the mayor’s woes, a rival scheme that offers Brompton folding bikes is snapping at the heels of his flagship cycle hire project.
Brompton Dock is still tiny in size, but with many regular users of the Boris Bikes disillusioned with the recent doubling of the annual membership fee, it’s approach is different – and cheap – enough in comparison to allow it to grow rapidly and across the country.
With hire points already in place at 19 locations around the country, the real advantage that the Brompton Dock approach has over conventional cycle hire schemes is that its bikes are folders and can be carried on public transport and stored easily and securely inside any building. As a result, the bikes, and scheme as a whole, can operate efficiently with far fewer docking points.
The Brompton approach plays on the fact its bikes fold small enough to be dispensed from something akin to an over-sized vending machine.
How does Brompton Dock work?
Before you hire a bike you need first to register as either a frequent or leisure user. After that, it’s simply a matter of texting the dock and picking up a Brompton. When you take a bike out you have 15 minutes to check it over and make sure it’s not faulty and swap it for an alternative bike if necessary. Hire charges are deducted automatically from the card used to register and pay for the annual membership fee. The frequent membership annual fee is £45 (currently reduced to £20) and entitles the user to hire a Brompton for £2.50 a day.
The Leisure Membership annual fee costs £10 (currently on offer at £1) and a Brompton then costs £5 a day to hire.
Insurance for folding bikes
Owners of Bromptons, Dahons, Moultons and other folding bikes can get a discount on cycle insurance of up to 20% through the ETA. Every policy includes cover against theft, accidental damage and vandalism as well as £5m third party and personal accident.
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