Talk:Santander Cycles

Bike reg numbers

anyone know anythig about this? e.g. could an errant cyclist be traced like a car driver by reporting this number to the police if required. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.119.25.27 (talk) 08:26, 12 September 2011 (UTC)

In theory yes. As TfL would have the data on who was using the bike at the time (or at least who's account had undocked it). But Carlton Reid did a freedom of information request and found no numbers had been used to report users. See http://ipayroadtax.com/no-such-thing-as-road-tax/bike-licensing-doesnt-work-just-ask-boris/ 130.32.42.1 (talk) 10:09, 13 February 2012 (UTC)

Glorification of sponsor

Wikipedia is supposed to be non-profit so why is it promoting sponsors? This article should just be called "London Bike Scheme" or "Boris Bikes" or whatever other common term is frequently used (it certainly isn't "Barclay Merchant Banker Cycle Hire". You wouldn't see the BBC (another non-profit company) lead a news story with the headline using the sponsor name. I know that Wikipedia is American but it can still have standards and that should include ridding itself of unnecessary mentions of the names of sponsors. Let the corporate world fuck off elsewhere.--85.94.113.121 (talk) 23:27, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

I disagree that it is either glorifying or promoting Barclays. It is merely reporting what TfL call it, because that's its name. The BBC doesn't entirely avoid the term, in fact, and the Guardian, who we might expect to be reasonably allergic, use it quite a lot. They do both have the problem that it's its name and there's only so many feeble alternatives they can slot in - The Mayor's Cycle Scheme or whatever - these all suffer from the same problem, that they are not its name. So I don't think you've got a point, really, and I don't agree that it needs renaming. Finally, I think it's pretty sad that you couldn't make this point without the obligatory pathetic anti-American dig. It lowers the tone and devalues your comments. Best wishes DBaK (talk) 23:41, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

The BBC actually only ever uses the term 'Boris Bike' now, occasionally 'London Cycle Hire'. MarkFSmith (talk) 19:55, 14 April 2013 (UTC)

Damage/Vandalism to London Bikes...

It would be interesting to know if the London Bikes are suffering from the same amount of vandalism/theft that the Velib and Bixi systems have encountered? Desq (talk) 10:28, 22 December 2010 (UTC) desq 22/12/10

No, actually much much less! Virtually nothing. Apart from a few pigeons shitting on them... — Preceding unsigned comment added by MarkFSmith (talk • contribs) 19:54, 14 April 2013 (UTC)

criticism - NPOV

it looks like most of the criticism section is taken from a single Telegraph article, and there is very little on the praise the scheme has received, for example: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/oct/13/london-bike-hire-profit 84.9.58.29 (talk) 18:54, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

• I see these criticisms you have generally referred to are in fact documented and referenced, with multiple sources and statistics straight out of TfL surveys and press releases. What's more, many of these criticisms have recently been acknowledged by both TfL and the BCH contractor, Serco. I don't see that you have any grounds in assigning an disputed neutrality tag merely on the basis that you could not find countervailing newsworthy reports and statistics that you feel support the BCH scheme. The purpose of wikipedia is to provide factual information on a concept, thing, or person - whether subjectively 'praiseworthy' or not. Sanitizing an article concerning a public bike hire scheme you have judged to be a noble cause by removing all documented criticisms will not further its chances of success; indeed, by ignoring real issues that must be solved, it may have just the opposite effect.Dellant (talk) 20:14, 1 July 2011 (UTC)
  • I agree, and feel the PoV tag is outdated and should now be removed. Best wishes DBaK (talk) 21:29, 17 July 2011 (UTC)

Title

The article was renamed London Cycle Hire. This name seems unfamiliar and so, per WP:COMMONNAME, I have reverted. The best alternative to Barclays Cycle Hire is Boris bike and I favour the latter as the article's title. For example, see this recent item in The Independent about the Arnold Schwarzenegger visit in which the name "Boris bike" is given prominence while the competition is nowhere. Colonel Warden (talk) 05:57, 11 April 2011 (UTC)

Weasel words

Taken from 'Reception and Criticisms' section: The system also does not enable transport to the suburbs, and TfL has admitted that the BCH scheme is "best for short journeys".[26] Some users have also found the bikes too heavy and unwieldy, at 23 kilograms (51 lb).[27][28]

I don't think that the word "admit" is appropriate, as it implies that TfL is accepting that it failed - it's a loaded word. The source (a TfL document) doesn't accept fault, it just points out a fact. "Acknowledge" would be a fairer word. Will change unless there are any disagreements? Cheers, Luke Luke.omahony87 (talk) 12:47, 19 June 2012 (UTC)

Very fair point. Sounds like a good change to me. Thank you for checking. Best wishes DBaK (talk) 13:54, 19 June 2012 (UTC)

About as weasily as "introduced" in the opening paragraph of the lead. Mighty Antar (talk) 14:17, 19 June 2012 (UTC)

Do you have a proposed solution to the problem you perceive? Best wishes DBaK (talk) 16:58, 19 June 2012 (UTC)

Amend the end of that sentence to something like "after Boris Johnson, who was the Mayor of London at the time of the official launch.". The only thing Boris introduced was a handy alliteration and (I believe) the Barclays sponsorship. Mighty Antar (talk) 18:18, 19 June 2012 (UTC)

Oops you never got a reply, sorry. I think you are broadly right but I'd love to know a little more about the history to get it right - in other words to give Boris neither too much nor too little credit. For example I don't think he introduced the alliteration, and if he did bring in Barclays' filthy lucre then, much though it galls me to admit it, he may have helped get it launched. We could really do with something on the history to put all this in context and give credit where due, including to the previous administration if that's the case. cheers DBaK (talk) 11:34, 19 August 2012 (UTC)

PS I've had a little go but it needs more work. DBaK (talk) 11:42, 19 August 2012 (UTC)

TMD?

Under Cycles we say "Each cycle is fitted with features designed to provide comfort and safety for the user, including:" and then go on to list that the bikes have such amazing features as two brakes, and adjustable saddles. I can see that some of the features listed are relevant but shouldn't we take a pair of scissors to this a bit? At the moment it reads almost like a joke Wikipedia article there ... but what do you think? DBaK (talk) 11:31, 19 August 2012 (UTC)

General Update

This article needs a general update to take account of the Phase 3 expansion (2013-14) which is currently underway and the proposed improvements to the scheme laid out in the Mayor's Vision for Cycling in London. MarkFSmith (talk) 19:57, 14 April 2013 (UTC)