November 6, 2015 12.02 pm This story is over 99 months old

Fleet of Lincoln hirebikes named after county’s leading lights from the past

New hirebike names: A competition to name five of Lincoln’s hirebikes has resulted in some famous names from the county’s past now gracing the orange bars.

A competition to name five of Lincoln’s hirebikes has resulted in some famous names from the county’s past now gracing the orange bicycles.

The Lincoln Hotel suggested Lincolnshire’s own Isaac Newton, saying “we all like a bit of gravity to help us stay on our bikes”, while Lincolnshire-born nurse Sarah Swift, founder of the Royal College of Nursing, was suggested by the University of Lincoln.

Mathematician George Boole, who would have celebrated his 200th birthday this month, was suggested by Visit Lincoln, and Ignaz Schwinn, founder of the company which produced some of the most iconic bicycles of the 50s and 60s, was suggested by Dom Clark, of Lincoln.

The fifth bike was named by Ian Ruddock, of Heckington, who opted for Nippy – the name of his first pet cat but also quite apt for a hirebike.

The competition was hosted by Hourbike which maintains Lincoln’s hirebikes on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council’s Access Lincoln Team.

Each year a selection of hirebikes are given names. Those already named include Skylar and Little Imp.

Over 360 hirebike journeys were made across the city using the scheme’s network of 19 docking stations in October.

The five bikes will be based at the new eight-dock hirebike station unveiled at North Kesteven Sports Centre on November 5 – funded by North Kesteven District Council as part of its £3.6m refurbishment of the sports centre.

Lincolnshire County Councillor Richard Davies. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire County Councillor Richard Davies. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Councillor Richard Davies, said: “I am glad to see that among those recognised on these bikes are famous names from across the county, including Grantham, Boston and Lincoln.

“Sustainable transport remains an important part of Lincoln’s transport network with new cycle paths created alongside road schemes wherever possible meaning there has never been a better time to try out a hirebike.”

More information on hirebikes and their locations can be found online.