BORIS bikes are coming to Southend...in a bid to encourage commuters to ditch their cars.

Bike & Go is a new bike hire scheme which will operate at Southend Victoria station.

It will allow passengers to quickly and easily, continue their journey under their own steam.

London Mayor Boris Johnson successfully launched the landmark scheme in the Capital three years ago.

Echo: Boris Johnson

And now there will be ten bikes at Southend Victoria station available for hire from the end of this month.

Customers will be able to hire a bike for £3.80 per day.

They can ride it wherever they like and then simply return it to the same station.

However Jay Robinson, owner of Jayz Cycles in Hamstel Road, Southend, is dubious about the idea.

Mr Robinson, who has owned the shop for 20 years, said: “I don’t think it’ll make a great deal of difference or get people on bikes.

“It seems expensive at £3.80 when you can buy a second-hand bike for £30.

“I think most people who want to cycle already do and the majority of people going to London for work in a suit will prefer to walk.

“I also think if you’re going to do it, then do it properly. Ten bikes is not enough. Maybe they should borrow some from London and see if it’ll work first.”

The station on the Greater Anglia line to London Liverpool Street is one of 50 stations around the country set to benefit from the introduction of the new scheme.

Just two other rail franchises; Merseyrail and Northern Rail are participating.

The chosen bikes are described as comfortable, practical, hardwearing and will be regularly serviced.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “Since taking over the franchise in February last year we have been keen to improve facilities at stations for cyclists.

“The Bike & Go scheme will provide another service for cyclists, complementing the existing facilities at the station.

“Southend is already a popular centre for cyclists and we hope this scheme will encourage more people to cycle.”

The Department for Transport has provided £1.65million towards the nationwide scheme.

To register, customers need to visit www.bikeandgo.co.uk. A £10 annual subscription fee is payable.