OYBike
Encyclopedia
OYBike is a bicycle sharing scheme in Cardiff
, Reading
and Farnborough
in the United Kingdom
. (There was a launch in London
but they are no longer operating there.) The program is similar to, but not exactly the same as, other programs in different cities. The OYBike system was developed by former-cabbie Bernie Hanning over the last 20 years but officially launched as a trial in 2004. Hanning sees these bikes as one aspect of a larger public transportation network. Trials began in Hammersmith
and Fulham
in West London where the scheme was put in place at tube stations and theatres with the support of the local council. The relative ease with which an OYBike hire station can be erected has been cited as potential for growth in the city of London, however the scheme has now been superseded by Barclays Cycle Hire
.
Users pay an initial fee and then are then charged based on usage. The account is topped back up once usage reduces the balance. A mobile phone can be used to receive the code needed to unlock a bike for immediate use. The bike can be returned to any OYBike station.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
and Farnborough
Farnborough, Hampshire
-History:Name changes: Ferneberga ; Farnburghe, Farenberg ; Farnborowe, Fremborough, Fameborough .Tower Hill, Cove: There is substantial evidence...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. (There was a launch in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
but they are no longer operating there.) The program is similar to, but not exactly the same as, other programs in different cities. The OYBike system was developed by former-cabbie Bernie Hanning over the last 20 years but officially launched as a trial in 2004. Hanning sees these bikes as one aspect of a larger public transportation network. Trials began in Hammersmith
Hammersmith
Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames...
and Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
in West London where the scheme was put in place at tube stations and theatres with the support of the local council. The relative ease with which an OYBike hire station can be erected has been cited as potential for growth in the city of London, however the scheme has now been superseded by Barclays Cycle Hire
Barclays Cycle Hire
Barclays Cycle Hire is a public scheme bicycle sharing scheme that was launched on 30 July 2010 in London, United Kingdom. The scheme's bicycles are informally referred to as Boris bikes, after Boris Johnson, who was the Mayor of London at the time of the official launch.BCH commenced operations...
.
Users pay an initial fee and then are then charged based on usage. The account is topped back up once usage reduces the balance. A mobile phone can be used to receive the code needed to unlock a bike for immediate use. The bike can be returned to any OYBike station.