A cycling enthusiast is calling for a bike hire scheme to be expanded, after it was revealed less than one in six docking stations are located south of the river.

Tom Pollard, who lives in Brixton, wants the Mayor of London’s Cycle Hire network to be extended in Lambeth, following its introduction in Vauxhall and Kennington.

‘Boris Bikes’, as they are informally known, after Mayor Boris Johnson, were launched in July 2010 as part of a multi-million pound contract with Barclays bank.

Mr Pollard, who has set up an online petition to promote his campaign, believes that expanding the scheme could help reduce congestion on the capital’s Underground system.

He said: “The great response we have had shows those in south London want the Mayor to give them the same access to the bikes Londoners north of the river already enjoy.

"So many Twitter users have backed the campaign, we are optimistic that it can succeed."

Streatham MP Chuka Umunna, who is also supporting the initiative, said it would help counterbalance recent fare hikes on London's rail network.

He said:“Extending the Cycle Hire Scheme further south would give some opportunity for relief from four consecutive years of rising fares under Boris Johnson.

"The fare rises he imposed this January mean that for every year of his Mayoralty, Boris Johnson’s fare rises have been harming London business, harming London jobs and putting further unnecessary strain on the cost of living for Londoners.”

To support the campaign, follow the hashtag #Bikes2Brixton on Twitter.