ON FIRST glance it may look like an ordinary bollard, but this pillar is actually a cleverly disguised bicycle pump.

Craig Simmons, deputy leader of Oxford City Council’s Green Party, tried out the new street furniture, which has been installed on Cowley Road, near Tesco Express.

He said: “Me and a few other councillors saw these communal pumps were being installed in other cities and thought they would be perfect for Oxford.”

Each pump, which also checks the cyclist is filling to the correct tyre pressure level, costs around £2,000.

Another three pumps are due to be installed in the city.

The councillor said: “There are so many cyclists in Oxford and it is estimated that 20 per cent of traffic on Cowley Road is now from bikes, so I think they are going to be well used.

“Especially for students, for example, who don’t have access to a bike pump themselves it will be very useful.”

He added: “It will also improve safety for all road users as when a tyre goes it can cause the cyclist to swerve.

“If it saves just one life then it will be money well spent.”

Similar public bike pumps have been installed in London and Glasgow.