THE new Glasgow bike-hire scheme is proving a huge success, with 20,000 booked in just nine weeks.

Since their launch on June 24, the bikes, with their bright pink 'People Make Glasgow' logo have become a common sight around the city.

The £600,000 scheme has 400 bikes available for public hire at 31 locations across Glasgow.

Riders can register as a member or as a casual user through the website www.nextbike.co.uk/en/glasgow, their smartphone or by telephone.

Once registered, they are provided with a log-in username, membership and personal ID number.

Annual subscribers are provided with a radio frequency ID card which can be swiped over the cycle's on-board sensor to speed up the hire process.

As many as four bikes can be hired on one card.

Membership costs £60 a year and hire costs are free for the first 30 minutes and £1 an hour after that, capped at £5 for up to 24 hours.

Hire costs for short-term casual users are £1 for the first 30 minutes, with each additional half hour costing £1, capped at £10 for five to 24 hours.

Local businesses can sign up for a corporate membership to allow staff or customers access to the bikes for free.

Each bike is protected by a robust chain lock with a four digit code, a saddle with an anti- theft protection device and GPS fitted to assist in locating any lost, stolen of strayed bikes.

Before approving the scheme, the city council carried out a feasibility study, looking at a detailed analysis of 24 different bike hire schemes across the world.

NextBike, the winning bidder, operates in 80 cities worldwide.

Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "The people of Glasgow - and visitors - have clearly embraced the bike scheme.

"The fact we have now passed the 20,000 hires mark in only nine weeks is amazing. We were confident the scheme would be a big success, but this is just fantastic.

"The bikes are being seen all over the city - as far afield as Loch Lomond and the runway at Glasgow Airport for a photo shoot with Sir Chris Hoy - and are being used by commuters, students and visitors.

"Glasgow's is the biggest bike scheme in the UK outside of London and, with user feedback being very positive, we're confident it will only continue to grow in popularity."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk