Many foreign and domestic travelers are interested in an organized Beijing Bike Tour or independent Beijing cycle trips. Bicycles have the advantages of low cost and energy efficiency. It is also healthy, and easier and quicker to shuttle through Beijing’s hutongs.
For independent cyclists, they find quite diffucult to ride in Beijing mainly due to the lack of bike lanes and decreasing rental outlets. Many bicycle lanes have been eroded away to make room for cars and buses. Cyclists have to fight for their rights to the road at the resk of their life. Some private bike rental companies have been closed because of losing many mainly caused by the lack of a sound cycle rental business model.
Beijing government should learn about the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme in London, United Kingdom. Beijing government should guide and promote the development of the bicycle renting business. The Barclays Cycle Hire scheme launched on 30 July 2010 in London has set a good example for Beijing in developing a perfect public bicycle sharing scheme.
There over 5,000 bicycles and 315 docking stations (bike outlets or Bicycle rental kiosks) available in central London, covering the City of London and parts of eight London boroughs. The scheme is opened both to casual users and registered memebers. Bikes may be rented using a credit or debit card. It mainly goes like this:
Docking Stations (Bike rental outlets)
Docking stations are composed of a terminal and docking points where you pick up and return bikes
Docking points
Each cycle is locked and secured in a docking point. There are many docking points ( where the bikes are locked) at each docking station.
Each cycle is locked and secured in a docking point. There are many docking points ( where the bikes are locked) at each docking station.
Use the docking point:
To open and lock cycles
Members: Insert your key
Casual users: Put in your cycle release code
Members: Insert your key
Casual users: Put in your cycle release code
Terminal at a docking station
Print a record of your journey
Find other docking stations – if one’s full or empty
Get extra time – if you need to return your cycle to another docking station
See a local street map, costs, Code of conduct and translated information
Buy 24-hour or seven-day access – for up to four cycles
Print cycle release code
Print a record of your journey
Find other docking stations – if one’s full or empty
Get extra time – if you need to return your cycle to another docking station
See a local street map, costs, Code of conduct and translated information
Buy 24-hour or seven-day access – for up to four cycles
Print cycle release code
Users of the scheme must pay both an access fee and usage charges
Access fee
Period 24-hour access Seven-day access Annual access
Cost £1 £5 £45
Period 24-hour access Seven-day access Annual access
Cost £1 £5 £45
Usage charges
Usage charges are aimed at promoting the constant circulation of bicycles.
Time: 30 min 1 hour 13 30 2 h 2 h30 3 h 6 h 24 hour
Rate: free £1 £4 £6 £10 £15 £35 £50
Rate: free £1 £4 £6 £10 £15 £35 £50
Picking up and returning bikes at an Docking Station
A terminal at the docking station where people Buy 24-hour or seven-day access - for up to four cycles 
People are learning how to use a terminal at a docking station 
Rental information on the terminal 
All cycle seats are easily adjusted higher or lower 
The docking point where you pick up or return your bikes 
A close look at a docking point. If then a green light indicating that the cycle can be undocked 
A bike warden is making up for the used bicycles 
All the bicyles are in position to be hired. 
Ride on a cycle lane. 
A bike lane on the street 
Again a cycle lane
