Santander Cycles
Santander Cycles is Transport for London's docked bike-hire scheme, popularly known as 'Boris Bikes'. Launched in 2010 as Barclays Cycle Hire, it has 800+ docking stations and roughly 12,000 sturdy three-gear bikes (including 2,000 e-bikes since 2022) covering Zones 1–2 and select Zone 3 areas.
Key facts
FAQs
How much do Santander Cycles cost?
Classic bikes: £3 for 24 hours of access plus £0 for each ride up to 30 minutes (then £1.65 per extra 30 min). E-bikes are £1 to unlock plus £1 per 15 minutes. Annual membership is £120 for unlimited classic-bike journeys.
Where can I hire a Santander Cycle?
From any of the 800+ docking stations across Zones 1–2 and parts of Zone 3 (Hammersmith, Putney, Brixton, Hackney). Use the Santander Cycles app, the docking-station terminal, or the TfL Go app to locate the nearest station.
Do Santander Cycles have helmets?
No — helmets are not provided. TfL strongly recommends bringing your own. Bikes are equipped with front, rear and side LED lights that activate automatically.
Can I take a Santander Cycle outside the zone?
Yes, but you must return it to a docking station — you cannot leave it anywhere else without incurring a £150 lost-bike fee. Plan a route that ends at a station.
How do Santander e-bikes work?
Pedal-assist up to 15.5 mph (UK legal limit). They're marked with green branding and require a separate £1 unlock plus £1/15min. Battery range is around 30 miles.