A man was arrested after officers saw him kicking one of Boris Johnson's new bicycles, police said today.

The 23-year-old was held on suspicion of criminal damage in New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, east London, at about 2.30am.

Witnesses said he lashed out at one of the bright blue and grey machines and told bystanders he was angry after losing his mobile phone.

Mr Johnson's cycle hire scheme got under way today with 400 London docking stations holding 6,000 bicycles.

The mayor said he hoped the distinctive bicycles will become as common on the capital's roads as black cabs and red buses.

The cycle scheme was also targeted by demonstrators protesting against sponsorship by Barclays bank.

Blue banner stickers were attached to several bicycles parked at a stand in Hyde Park Corner.

They carried slogans comparing the £25 million Barclays is spending sponsoring the scheme to its investment in defence companies.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said the man arrested in Shoreditch has been released on bail until August pending further inquiries.

A Transport for London spokesman added: "The scheme is up and running, bringing a brand new public transport system to the capital.

"A small number of Barclays cycle hire bicycles had stickers attached to them overnight, which have been swiftly removed.

"This is a really exciting new scheme and we hope that all Londoners will respect and protect the system, as these bicycles belong to them."