Boris Bikes a'plenty across Hackney and the capital, but are they just an Olympic stunt?
By Sophie_RT | Saturday, February 11, 2012, 16:07
Hackney is one of many London boroughs to welcome fleets of new "Boris bikes" next month. The Mayor has announced almost two and a half thousand new bicycles across the capital, mainly in the East of the city and for the first time incorporating Tower Hamlets. The Hackney newbies will be based in Shoreditch and are aimed to ease congestion, aid commuters and encourage tourists.
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The iconic bicycles are being introduced to more places across East London, including Hackney's Shoreditch
But in an article on the BBC website yesterday, mayoral candidate for the Green Party, Jenny Jones, is quoted criticising the expansion for being motivated by the Olympic Games. She revealed that cyclists would still not be able to access the Barclays bikes within the Olympic part because the bank "is not a tier-one sponsor of the Olympics".
So is it right to be cynical of these abundant gestures to the East End? New bikes, new buildings, new training schemes for our youngsters. Should we view these efforts as empty PR stunts that will only last as long as The Games, or should we make the most of them in a time of national cuts and austerity?
Photo courtesy of Anonphotography at Flickr
Comments
They're ugly things and Barclays have no right to be contributing to our public services when they're part of the reason our ecomony is a mess. It's a disgrace to uphold these corporations as do-gooders, helping Hackney bring itself up when Hackney has brough itself up through creativity, bohemia and independent trade over the last decade and so is at odds with everything Barclays and Boris stands for. We dont need extra bikes in Hackney for any reason other than drunken city-slickers and Olympic tourist - and our borough doesn't see those people as part of our success, in my opinion.
By poppydop at 14:13 on 19/02/12
ReportI think the bikes are brilliant and will be really well used. I get fed up of everyone being so negative about things. We should embrace anything that is likely to help the area and is good for the environment. people should stop being so miserable and celebrate change :-)
By JulieGK at 09:31 on 17/02/12
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