The London cycle scheme - are people finding it to be value for money?

Not worth it at all. The registration process has been a nightmare, which in time I'm sure they will sort out. The cost isn't cheap and it appears to have not been thought out properly. I feel the whole scheme isn't about environmental issues but is mayoral legacy for Boris 'the bike rider' Johnson. Fares on the tube and buses have increased, in part to pay for this scheme, which seems to counter the idea of taking people out of their cars. In fact the cynic in me says that this could well be deliberate policy by TfL, wanting people to drive back into London to make more money out of the congestion charge.

I bought a bike for £10 on Gumtree, and for that matter, I definitely think the bike system is not worth it.

However, I have signed up for the scheme :( (I know hypocrite), but only as a convenience for myself if in London and have to attend meetings on a nice sunny day within local distances of each other.

We have to bare in mind that this operation has obviously been orchestrated by Barclays - who are??, You guessed right, a bank. - when do they do anything cheap!

I think we need competition and soon things will take a lighter beating on our finances.

Though it's a good idea like the system in Amsterdam, I can't understand why the government did develop it and in such a way that would have allowed other companies to introduce their bike to a standard universal bike docking system. - I'm sure we would have had it lower than today's £10 price.

I think it's a great idea and a good way to encourage people to not use polluting methods of transport and encourage exercise. I agree that it can be cheaper to buy your own bike but this scheme could be a good taster for someone that wasn't sure if they would get on with cycling. Also this scheme is great for visitors as they would not need to bring their own cycle (not always practical) and could see more of the sights.

I wish they scheme was expanded to other cities.

I think it will be a waste in the end as it will be useless unless London changes its mindsets towards cyclists. I commute by bike and it can be a real nightmare. I was hit by a truck myself in April, although I am a very very safe cyclist, and if it wasn't because I was riding quite slow at the time I don't really know what would have happened.

Most people that don't ride bicycles in London is because they are scared or cycling in these roads and not because they don't have access to a bike as you can get cheap ones, as De-Vale suggests.

And I don't really think that it will be convenient for visitors either. Firstly, most visitors would come from countries where they drive on the opposite direction and would feel intimidated by this, but moreover they would be scared of riding in roads that they are unfamiliar with and that have so much traffic.

This scheme is used by tourists in other places because those cities are more bike-friendly.

Who would want to come and visit London and have a relaxing sightseeing day when all you are doing is getting stressed by the cabs not respecting you on the road and making your ride hell? (cabs mainly, closely followed by buses and some cars)

Unless they just want the bike for a relaxing stroll around Hyde Park...

I dont live in London so it dont affect me I dont think a city is a safe place to use bycycles unless the city follows the same structure as they apply in Holland.