Transport for London (TfL) and Santander have announced an additional 1,400 e-bikes will be added to the fleet in the UK capital.
The new e-bikes will increase the size of the fleet from 600 to 2,000, following the introduction of the first batch in 2022.
Since then, more than 750,000 e-bike hires have taken place, with double the number of hires per bike per day compared to conventional bikes.
A new day pass will also be introduced from 03 March, with a daily rate of £3 for unlimited hires up to 30 minutes within 24 hours. Hires longer than 30 minutes incur an extra £1.65 for each additional 30 minutes.
Following feedback from users of Santander Cycles, customers indicated that a new tariff structure would encourage more people to try the scheme and would be a more economical way to use the service.
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The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that we’re adding a further 1,400 new e-bikes to the fleet, almost tripling the number available to hire.
“The e-bikes have proved hugely popular since they were introduced and help break down the barriers that stop some people from cycling.
“The new day pass rate will also make Santander bikes one of the most affordable ways to travel in the capital.
“I’m determined to continue building a cleaner, greener and more prosperous London for everyone, and Santander Cycles plays a hugely important role in making active travel around the city as accessible as possible.”
The e-bikes are serviced on street by cargo bikes and electric vans, ensuring that the scheme is as sustainable as possible. The e-bikes can be docked at any of the scheme’s 800 docking stations.
Santander Cycles e-bikes will be available for an additional £1 per half hour with the new day pass.
E-bikes are otherwise available for £3.30 per 30-minute ride for non-members and customers without a day pass, or a fare of £1 per 60 minutes for monthly and annual members.
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David Eddington, TfL’s head of cycle hire, said: “Santander Cycles is a vital part of London’s transport system and we are constantly looking for ways to improve the scheme, as well as making it as accessible as we can.
“Santander Cycle e-bike usage in the capital is now more popular than ever so these additional e-bikes will allow more people to be able to access them.
“We’ve also listened to our customers regarding our fare tariff and are introducing a day pass to give people making multiple journeys in a day certainty about the overall cost of using the scheme.
“Santander Cycles has played an important role in encouraging more people to cycle and we look forward to seeing more Londoners making use of both the scheme’s e-bikes and mechanical bikes to ensure a greener and healthier future for everyone in London.”
Achievements and innovations in active travel and shared mobility will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations officially open in March 2024. Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
