Boris bike

English

Boris bike on Lambeth Bridge

Cycling on a Boris bike across the Waterloo Bridge

Etymology

After former Mayor of London Boris Johnson, associated with the launch of the hire scheme.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈbɒɹɪs ˈbaɪk/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

Boris bike (plural Boris bikes)

1. (UK, informal) A bicycle offered for hire in London, England as part of a bike-share scheme launched in 2010.
   • [2014 July 26, Paula Cocozza, “A day in the life of a London Boris bike”, in The Guardian‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Alan Waller, a sustainability analyst, says he is happy to be followed to the gym, provided the bikes are not referred to as "Boris bikes". "The scheme was secured under Ken Livingstone," he says. "Boris took all the credit. I try not to call them Boris bikes."]

   • 2015 February 27, Gwyn Topham, “‘Boris bikes’ to be painted red under Santander deal”, in The Guardian‎^[2], →ISSN:

     London’s blue “Boris bikes” are to be painted red under a seven-year sponsorship deal with Santander worth around £7m a year, it has been announced.

See also

• Boris bus