Top tips on renting a city bike

From Lime bikes to Santander cycles, London offers a range of bike rental options, including public bike schemes, bike tour companies, and electric bike rentals. This blog offers useful tips and advice for those wanting to experiment using a city bike for the first time. 

Renting a city bike in London

Cycling around London is a great way to see the sights, save money and reduce the city’s substantial carbon emissions.  

New cycle superhighways are emerging all over the city (the latest one running from Greenwich to London Bridge), which can be a great way to be surrounded by like-minded individuals; an estimated 1.26 million cycling trips are made every day in the capital.

Hire bikes have many benefits such as being affordable, easy to use and enable you to travel a good distance across London.  

TFL Santander Cycles are London’s largest provider with over 12,000 bikes and 800 docking stations. That said, it is worth avoiding rush hour as many commuters will be cycling.   

How do I hire a city bike?

For city bike newcomers, there are two easy options:

1. Download the Santander Cycles app and select 'Hire now' for your docking station of choice. 
2. Go to the selected docking station and use the touch screen to hire a bike. 

How much does a city bike cost?

A standard Santander Cycle hire is £1.65 for up to 30 minutes. You can also buy a day pass for £3 for unlimited 30-minute rides.

Santander Cycles have also introduced e-bikes to their network. These are more expensive at £3.30 for up to 30 minutes but travel at speeds of up to 25kmph meaning you can cover greater distances more quickly. Monthly and annual subscriptions are also available.  

Where should I go?

If you fancy visiting the main tourist hotspots on two wheels, take a look at TFL’s Hyde Park, Royal and Thames Loops.

For longer and more adventurous routes, Visit London have put together a selection of routes for city cyclists. Another way to escape the crowds is to explore The Royal Parks with London Cyclist.  

Visiting another city and would like to use a city bike?  

Across Greater Manchester, you can find Bee Network cycle hire stations close to the tram, train and bus stations. Additionally, Leeds City Bikes are expanding across the city to enable people to explore the city centre and towpaths. Cycle hire is also available in the West Midlands, with docking stations at major bus, metro and train stations, visitor attractions and city centres.  

At Leigh Day, we intend to make cycling in the UK as safe and enjoyable as possible. If you wish to seek legal advice or claim compensation, our personal injury lawyers specialising in cycling accidents are ready to assist you. We will provide you with the necessary support and guidance throughout the process. We are happy to discuss whether there are prospects of a claim and can offer No Win No Fee where appropriate. A claim can help you access expert support for both physical and psychological recovery, so you can return to enjoying the freedom of cycling again.