The Barclays Cycle Superhighways are a network of cycle lanes connecting Central London with Outer London.

The blue-painted Cycle Superhighways aim to provide cyclists with safer, faster and more direct journeys into the city.

Currently, two Barclays Cycle Superhighways have launched – Barking to Tower Gateway (CS3), and Merton to the City (CS7). Bow to Aldgate (CS2) and Wandsworth to Westminster (CS8) will be opening in summer 2011.

The superhighways have removed one of the big barriers to cycling, poor navigation. Cyclists can get on to a superhighway and know exactly where they will arrive.

More information on the cycling superhighways can be found on the Transport for London Website.

The Barclays Cycle Hire was launched in London in July with the aim to provide an alternative method of public transport in the capital. The docking stations across the capital give cyclists access to around 6,000 bikes at 400 locations in London’s Zone One travel area.

There are two methods of using the cycle hire scheme. Either registering online and receiving a membership key, or using the scheme on a session by session basis using your credit card.

The Cycle Hire Access Fees are as follows:

• Free up to 30 minutes
• £1 from 30 minutes to 1 hour
• £4 up to 1.5 hours
• £6 up to 2 hours
• £10 up to 2.5 hours
• £15 up to 3 hours
• £35 up to 6 hours
• £50 up to 24 hours (maximum usage fee)