Inside a converted double decker bus in East London resides the Bicycle Library. From the bus you can borrow one of seven different types of bikes. These are:
- Folding
- MiniVelo
- FixGearSingleSpeed (FGSS)
- LadiesCoaster
- MensCoaster
- Cargo
- Electric
You can then either test this bike out around the circuit or, with a deposit, ride it away for further testing to see if it suits you.
On hand at the scene is also a team of “librarians” that can advise you on your cycling needs. If you are satisfied with the bike then they can help you order it from the manufacturer.
The bus, a Leyland Olympian, was sourced from Milton Keynes. It was then converted into the bicycle library. Upstairs is a seating area with cycling books.
The borrow a bike and if you like it buy it concept isn’t particularly novel (companies such as Foffa Bikes do it) but I have to praise the ingenuity of setting up shop inside a double decker bus. Can’t wait to go check it out for myself!
Image source: Inhabitat | Lots more pictures on the Help my chain came off blog.
Hey, what a great idea! Please, Andreas, do not forget to tell us your impressions when you have visited The Bicycle Library.
I’m begining to think I work in the wrong library. The only bike inside ours (Middlexsex University) is usually my Brompton folded up by my desk!
Cheers
Adam
For anyone having a look at the weekend that hasn’t been down that neck of the woods before, be sure to pop around the corner to check out Broadway Market.
Another reason to go is that the Lucky Chip burger van is parked next to it. They do banging burgers.
Andreas,
Here was the first place I read about this “bicycle library”. Your post inspired me and I wrote about it in my blog, translating your post and others into Portuguese.
The Bicycle library is such a great idea! Congratulations for the guys behind it.
And your blog’s always an amazing news source!
Regards,
from Brazil
I can’t claim that I was the first to discover it but I’m pleased to see the idea is spreading around the internet and I’m playing a small part in that 🙂
The bus is a MCW Metrobus, by the way – not a Leyland Olympian !
Good knowledge John – thanks for correcting me!
Hey! Does anyone know if the double decker is still around Hackney somewhere? I Saw it for a while parked at the end of Martello St, but disappeared short after.
Cheers
d
There’s a Bicycle Library in a double decker bus at The Doodle Bar, 33 Parkgate Road
London SW11 4NP – near Battersea Park.