Santander Cycles
London's public bike-share scheme with 12,000+ bikes at 800 docking stations — unlock a red bike for £1.65 with the first 30 minutes included
London's public bike-share scheme with 12,000+ bikes at 800 docking stations — unlock a red bike for £1.65 with the first 30 minutes included
Santander Cycles — known to all as Boris Bikes — is London's public bike-share and one of the cheapest ways to see the city. Over 12,000 red bikes sit in 800-plus docking stations across central London, available to anyone with a bank card.
Pay £1.65 to unlock a bike and the first 30 minutes is included. Dock before the half-hour mark, wait a moment, then take another for a second window. With stations every few hundred metres you can hopscotch across London for pennies.
Walk up to any docking station, tap the terminal screen, select "Hire a cycle" and follow the prompts to tap your bank card. The terminal directs you to a dock — pull the bike firmly and you are away in under a minute. The Santander Cycles app can send a release code to your phone so you skip the terminal entirely, and it shows real-time bike availability at every station. Returning is just as easy: push the bike into any empty dock until the green light appears. If a station is full, the terminal or app will point you to the nearest alternative.
The most scenic route runs along the Thames Embankment on Cycle Superhighway CS3. Starting from Westminster, the segregated lane takes you east past the Houses of Parliament, Blackfriars Bridge and on towards the Tower of London — roughly three miles of protected cycling with the river on one side and London's finest buildings on the other. For a greener ride, hire a bike near Marble Arch and pedal through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens to the Royal Albert Hall and the museum district. A popular circular route connects the South Bank with the City via Tower Bridge, Bankside and Waterloo Bridge, passing the Tate Modern, Borough Market and St Paul's Cathedral.
London's cycling infrastructure has improved dramatically, with protected lanes on many major routes, but the city is still busy. Stick to designated cycle routes, use the segregated superhighways and avoid multi-lane roads if you are not an experienced urban cyclist. The bikes are sturdy but heavy — three hub gears handle flat central London, but you will feel the weight on bridges. The e-bikes, with their green and red livery, offer electric pedal assistance and make a real difference on longer rides. A helmet is not legally required but is recommended; none are provided, so bring your own. Ride on the left and always dock the bike when you stop — you are responsible until it is returned.
Dock the bike within 30 minutes to avoid extra charges — then immediately unlock a new one for another free 30-minute window. A Day Pass (£3.50) gives unlimited 60-minute rides for 24 hours.
Return the bike to any docking station within 30 minutes and you pay only the £1.65 unlock fee. Wait a moment, then take out another bike for another free 30-minute window.
Use the Santander Cycles app to check that your destination station has empty docks before you set off. Popular stations near landmarks can fill up completely at busy times.
Cycle Superhighway CS3 along the Embankment is the safest and most scenic route in central London. It runs from Westminster to Tower Hill in a fully segregated lane.
The electric-assist bikes make a real difference on Tower Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and any route heading uphill towards Hampstead or Highgate. They cost a little more but save a lot of effort.
Every Santander Cycle has a quick-release seat post. Take ten seconds to set it to the correct height before you pedal off — an uncomfortable seat makes a short ride feel much longer.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 27, 2026
