On Jul 26, 2:46*pm, congokid wrote:

In article , David Walters
writes

The TfL map still doesn't show any locations and they have now updated it
to say it launches on Friday. I wonder if it will show live availability
which doesn't make much sense while the bikes are still in a warehouse
somewhere.

After I posted I realised I may have seen a docking station in progress
at Carey Street at the back of the Royal Courts of Justice. Several
weeks ago a small newly paved area appeared, with smaller diamond shaped
slabs inlaid. Among the chalk marks on the pavement I could see the word
'bicycles'.

Then last Friday I noticed that bicycle stands had been added. They
looked like the wheel bender type, but now I suspect they're to
accommodate the new bikes. I could have used something like the bike
scheme several times over the past year to get me from Fleet Street to
Marylebone - that journey ought to be well under 30 minutes - but with
no capacity for carrying luggage, perhaps not.

There's a front basket/ rack arrangement of sorts on the bikes.

Must admit that looking at these photos I'm not entirely convinced by
it, but I'll reserve judgement until I've seen and indeed put it to
the test in person.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolbikes/4002090743/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclemapsuk/4016638570/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctc_cyclists/3994986443/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctc_cyclists/3994985021/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctc_cyclists/3994985021/

AIUI the bikes themselves are essentially based on the same model
that's used for the Bixi scheme in Montreal, and by the looks of it
the front basket thingie looks similar on their bikes, so I guess it
must kinda work:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15740359@N06/3618598935/