LONDONERS are being encouraged to improve their carbon footprint by joining a new bike hire scheme.

There are now 5,000 bikes available across the capital at 315 docking stations.

People who want to use the transport system during its first month of operation need to be members of the cycle hire scheme.

Membership costs £1 for 24 hours, £5 for seven days and £45 for an annual membership.

The first 30 minutes of any journey will be free.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “My crusade for the capital to become the greatest big cycling city in the world has taken a gigantic pedal powered push forwards."

For more information, visit tfl.gov.uk/barclayscyclehire