Used one for the first time today myself, didn't ride it down any steps though...well not this time
. Really well designed with the integrated dynamo lights front and rear, big mudguards and enclosed chain, enclosed cabling, and the little "nose" that the bike is locked through when you dock. I think the way they've done it should minimise dickhead abuse as it's known who used it when and being locked in unless you take it out, thereby giving your credit card details. don't take it back or chuck it in the Thames and you get a £300 bill.
I really hope they stay and keep as popular as they are as it's a good idea and fantastic value. Register online for a key (same size as a usb dongle thingy) which costs £3 and register for daily use with automatic renewal and then just pop it in the slot and take a bike for £1. I have to say I'd misunderstood the costs initially, as I think a few on here had judging by the comments on the other thread. The time doesn't stack up cummulatively during a day but it's each trip between docking less than 30mins and it still only costs you the £1 useage fee. You can ride around London all day long for a quid if you dock and take a new bike out every half hour
. I've seen lots of people using them for to and from the station use around where I work and all look to be enjoying it. A few in my office doing this too and saying how they like doing it and it's the first time they've been on a bike since being a kid.
I don't care if you like his politics or not, well done Boris. One of the first big things he's done as Mayor and it increases cycle use in London. Ken also said he was a cyclist and keen to get people on bikes and introduced the bendy bus!