Haringey has found itself at the centre to a cycling revolution after Mayor of London Boris Johnson revealed plans to introduce a new electric bike rental scheme.

Several hundred battery-powered bicycles will be on the borough’s streets next year as part of a pilot scheme.

The e-bikes will be introduced to Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Alexandra Palace with a small charging station at Finsbury Park Tube.

They will have a small battery-powered motor that helps riders pedal and will be available at Boris bike-style docking stations.

Transport for London (TfL) hopes to test the bikes in some of the capital’s hilliest areas, where steep climbs put many off taking their bike or even walking.

The scheme is subject to planning permission and Haringey Borough Council will partner with TfL carry out a feasibility study for the project.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “E-bikes are already big on the continent because they take the puff and pant out of cycling.

“Once again, London is leading the way in Britain with new cycling innovations and the elevated latitudes of Haringey are perfect for this trial.”

E-bikes are already popular in other European cities, and hire schemes are already in place or planned as far away as Genoa, Vienna and San Francisco.

Council leader Claire Kober said: “We’re really excited to welcome e-bikes to Haringey – and to become Britain’s first e-bikes borough.

“This project with the Mayor of London underpins our commitment to being one of the capital’s greenest boroughs and to promoting and rewarding greener travel through improved cycling facilities and sustainable transport across Haringey.

“Together, we can encourage more people to leave their cars at home and offer the next generation of cyclists safer and better routes around our borough.”