Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has advised Barclays on its sponsorship of the London Cycle Hire Scheme, which will see the development of new cycle superhighways for the capital.

The banking giant is contributing £25m over a five-year period towards the scheme, which is set to launch at the end of this month (30 July).

Supported by London Mayor Boris Johnson, the scheme will make bicycles available to the public for short journeys in and around central London.

The deal will give Barclays naming rights for the two cycling initiatives, which will be called Barclays Cycle Hire and Barclays Cycle Superhighways, and will also see the bank's branding placed on all the bicycles, maintenance support vehicles, uniforms and marketing materials.

The £25m investment will also go towards the development of 12 planned cycle routes into central London from outer London.

BLP fielded a team led by City-based technology, media and telecoms partner Vanessa Barnett, who worked with associate Ceri Owen-Bradley. Barclays also used its in-house legal team, with the work led by Fiona Butler and Helen Burt.

Barnett commented: "This was an exciting deal for us to be involved in. We have helped Barclays to take its brand across London and also worked on an important project that offers Londoners a new, sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of public transport."

Butler added: "Barclays is excited to be part of the cycling revolution happening in London. We are confident the schemes will become part of everyday London life like the tube or buses. BLP played an important role in helping Barclays to conclude the sponsorship by providing expert advice and going that step further to ensure the demanding timeline was achieved."

Barclays is a client of BLP's, with the City law firm having last year won panel roles to advise the bank on commercial, corporate recovery and wealth products issues.

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