The Labour candidate in this year’s mayoral elections has pledged to introduce a Watford-wide cycle hire scheme if he wins. 

Cllr Jagtar Singh-Dhindsa has been inspired by the Santander Cycle Scheme in London, where people can hire a bike for around £2 and drop it off at a docking station. 

As a result, the chairman of Watford Borough Council will launch “Jag-Bikes” for people wanting to be healthier and avoid traffic jams.

He explained: “More and more people are recognising the benefits of cycling around town. Whether it’s because they’re fed up with sitting in traffic jams or because they want to pick the healthy option, increasingly people are turning to cycling as a better way to get around town.

“Our town has a lot to offer people and it makes sense to be able to hop on a bike, head to where you want to go and then drop it off once you’re done. I envisage a bank in every ward in Watford, which will truly bring environmentally friendly bike travel to people for getting about in our town.

“Cycling is brilliant because it’s such a good healthy option. It doesn’t matter if you’re slow or fast, young or old, the benefits of getting on a bike are clear. What better way to take a positive step to being healthier but still getting around Watford to do the things you want to do than to hop on a Jag-Bike?”

Mr Singh-Dhindsa will battle for the title of Mayor of Watford on May 3 alongside Conservative candidate George Jabbour and Liberal Democrat candidate Peter Taylor.