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It used to be that the only way to tell a Boris Bike was coming your way was by the shrill bell-ringing that accompanied it. But now, Santander Cycles are getting a new, futuristic safety feature: laser lights.
The new lights were trialled earlier this year on 250 bikes and are now being rolled out across the city's 11,500-strong fleet of Boris Bikes. The 'Blaze' lights have been around for the last two years and have won designer Emily Brooke a fistful of innovation awards. They zap bright green bike logos onto the ground six metres in front of the cyclist, making sure pedestrians (and, crucially, lorries) can see riders coming.
By early 2016, all 11,500 bikes will be armed with the new green lights, at a cost of £860,000 – a bill that's being mostly footed by sponsors Santander.
Now no-one will ever need to fight over who gets the novelty bike at the docking station.
Get inspired with one of our six scenic bike rides around the city.
Don't fancy tackling London on two wheels? Here are nine sneaky tube shortcuts that only Londoners know.