Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating ten years of cycle hire in the capital.
On 30 July 2010, TfL introduced cycle hire to Londoners with 350 docking stations across eight London boroughs.
Today, these numbers have more than doubled: Londoners now have access to 781 docking stations and more than 12,000 bikes, with an additional 1,700 new bikes currently being added to the fleet. TfL is also adding 1,700 new Santander Cycle bikes to the fleet, bringing the total on London’s streets to more than 14,000, and rolling out eight new docking stations this summer.
Cycling in London has more than doubled since 2000.
In 2020, Santander Cycles has observed more than 85,000 new members signing up to the scheme since March – a 200% increase on the same period last year – contributing to more than 2.3m hires throughout May and June.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “London’s cycle hire initiative has been a fantastic success story and over the past decade we have seen this flagship scheme go from strength-to-strength. We are delighted that this summer there has been record-breaking demand for our Santander Cycles and we are capitalising on this by adding new docking stations, cycle hire hubs and bikes, which will make it even more convenient for Londoners to take to two wheels.”
Helen Sharp, TfL’s head of cycle hire business development, said: “Ten years ago today we launched the cycle hire scheme. Today, our Santander Cycles are as familiar a sight on our streets as a black cab or a roundel, embraced by Londoners and visitors to our city alike.
“Cycling has grown enormously over the last ten years and never more so than during this summer. There has never been a better time to cycle and we look forward to expanding our iconic Santander Cycles scheme in the months and years ahead.”
Santander Cycles can be hired from £2 a day for an unlimited number of 30-minute journeys. The free app is available on the iTunes and Android App Stores, searching for Santander Cycles.
People keen to start or return to cycling in London are encouraged to try TfL’s Online Cycle Skills training modules, which were launched last week. The course covers a range of helpful advice from getting on the road for the first time to cycling safely in a group. Everyone who completes all four training modules will receive a free 24-hour access period to Santander Cycles, allowing them to start their cycling journey.
To find the closest Santander Cycles docking station, visit tfl.gov.uk/santandercycles
