Cycle hire scheme launched in London

Mayor of London Boris Johnson poses for photographers in front of the London Eye at the launch of the capital's first ever cycle hire scheme Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

One of the 315 London cycle hire docking points spread around the city Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Bicycles for hire at a docking station Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Each bike has instructions on how to use it Photograph: Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features

The scheme has 5,000 bikes – with hopes for expansion Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Johnson at the launch of the scheme on the South Bank, London. The mayor hopes to expand the scheme to include 400 docking stations and 6,000 bikes Photograph: Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment

A row of so-called Boris Bikes at a docking station in Moorgate Photograph: Matt Crossick/Empics Entertainment

A cyclist passes a station with bikes near Battersea power station Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

The mayor waves to the media as he helps launch the cycle hire scheme Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP

People have complained that the bikes do not come with a basket, unlike the Parisian equivalents Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

A man picks up a bike on the first day of the cycle hire scheme Photograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA

A businessman tries out a hired bicycle Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images