Leading car hire provider, hertz, have just launched a new transport hire in service in London offering electric bicycles for hire on a trial run basis from its Marble Arch rental outlet.

Hertz have started off small with their bicycle hire scheme with just 12 of the high tech folding bikes available to hire from the city car rental centre. The ultra modern bikes can reach a top speed of 15.5mph and cost just £20 to hire per day.

The bikes are able to fold away neatly and so can be used on public transport when stowed away properly, and also feature a special sensor which detects how fast the rider is pedalling and then matches its speed with its power in put.

The bikes are supplied along with a helmet, lock and charger which allows the bike to be charged up from a domestic electric socket.

The car hire company say the electric bike hire service offers an economical and environmentally friendly travel option for those in the city. Travel by bike can often be speedier in the city as congestion on the roads often leads to lengthy queues so travelling by bike is a great way to beat the traffic.

If the pilot electric bike hire scheme proves a success, Hertz may roll out the service in other bike friendly cities such as Amsterdam amongst others.