Introduce rental bike docking stations in Brent

I am aware of some pilot programmes of dockless bike share shemes, but they don't appear to work very well, causing more disruption for pedestrians when dumped in random locations, rather than benefits for the riders. Docked TfL scheme (Santander) proved to be a popular and reliable transport solution for many Londoners.

I understand that the majority of the borough is currently not connected to the existing Santander bikes network, so installing the docking stations in isolation from the rest of the network doesn’t make much sense, but right now there is a huge opportunity to create this connection, which is South Kilburn regeneration programme.

2016 South Kilburn masterplan included a number of TfL Cycle Hire locations, which were supposed to be a crucial part of the transportation plan. In the new developments built and approved within the regeneration plan there are significant limitations on parking spaces, but it appears that an important piece of public transport network (shared bicycles) is "forgotten", when the planning applications for the individual development sites are approved. None of the locations marked in the plan as the proposed sites for TfL Cycle Hire stations have been reflected in the planning applications and the developments already completed.

For example, one of TfL docking stations was supposed to be located at the public square north of Chippenham Gardens. This location appears to be a perfect point for the docking station, as it is far enough both from a number of subway stations and from the westernmost existing cycle hire stations in Maida Vale and Westbourne Park. Another station was supposed to be installed at the public square in front of Albanian mosque or nearby at the same crossing. I have checked the approved project for Carlton Vale boulevard, and no docking stations are even mentioned there. The boulevard will provide high standard cycling lanes, so it appears to be the most logical flagman project to bring shared cycling schemes to the borough of Brent. If two docking stations are installed (one at Queens Park station and another either close to South Kilburn Open Space or (even better) next to the crossing with Kilburn Park Road), this will open up the opportunity for the future expansion of the rental bikes network into the borough.

Given that South Kilburn regeneration is only half way through, there is still a chance to catch the opportunity to introduce the cycling scheme in the borough by including docking stations into S106 of the proposed developments. While the regeneration is over, it will be more difficult to develop the network, and it will require the direct sponsorship of the borough.

Please bring back TfL docking stations into the development plans and include them into the long-term transport development strategy. They will add the value for the users of a number of amazing public spaces suggested in the development plans for Brent, and will help to achieve the goals of carbon neutrality and sustainable transportation.