Reading set to get 500 'Boris Bike' hire bicycles

The council plans to launch the scheme with 200 bikes at about 20 locations

Up to 500 bicycles could available to hire under a scheme being introduced in Reading.

Reading Borough Council said it would be inviting bids from suppliers later this year, initially to provide 200 bikes at about 20 locations.

It is expected the scheme would be extended at a later date to include 500 bicycles at up to 50 sites.

Transport councillor Tony Page said the main location for the bikes would be Reading Station.

Other locations could include the university, Madejski Stadium, parks and Thames Valley Business Park.

Mr Page said: "We want to create a scheme which works for Reading and its particular characteristics and that involves looking closely at travel patterns so we can provide a bike hire option in those places where it will have the most impact."

The successful bidder is expected to be issued a contract in 2013 and have the bike hire scheme operating within six months of that contract.