Mouthpiece: Capital's in the slow lane

It was made possible in part by sponsorship from Barclays bank which gave what Boris described as "25 million smackeroonies" in return for its logo on a very visible sign.

So why was Edinburgh overtaken? I first saw a scheme like this in Lyon some years ago and called for something similar to be developed here. The council unanimously agreed but all we have to show so far is some reports and a suggestion that it may all be a little too difficult and expensive.

We need to be far more ambitious as a city. The political leadership has been virtually silent on a concept they agreed to back. For instance, why haven't they asked RBS if they will step up with some Scottish "smackeroonies".

A bike share scheme in Edinburgh would bring lots of benefits. For potential tourists it would give us some much-needed publicity and show us as forward thinking and having ambition. Once here they would find our city centre is small enough to make most journeys possible by bike. Residents could gain the health benefits of exercise along with a journey by bike and there would be less pollution and congestion.

So why haven't we gone ahead? It seems that cost is still the issue. The scheme I saw years ago in Lyon cost nothing to the public purse. It was paid for by selling advertising. That can't be done here until 2014 because the council is tied to a street-advertising contract.

We need to be far more flexible and turn new initiatives round quicker. With a bit of leadership we can cut through the old bureaucratic ways and be a leading city with ambition and foresight once again. Boris watch out - Edinburgh isn't out of the ambition race yet.

• Iain Whyte is Conservative councillor for Inverleith Ward