Even though the weather in London is often rainy, which prevents you from knowing what to wear, let alone to ride bicycles, many locals prefer riding bicycles to public transport or traveling by car. The Santander bicycles (named after the Santander Bank, which is their main sponsor) are rented around London, on the dedicated stops where users can rent out their own. They are later returned to one of the aforementioned stations. There are around 400 stations with over 6000 bicycles around London. As it is a self-serving system, bicycles can be rented 24 hours a day throughout the year.
To rent a bicycle, you will have to pay the costs of using it. Registration can be completed at any station that rents the bicycles. The registration is done via credit card. When you register online, you will receive a code which you are to type into the screen at the station in order to ren a bicycle. When you return the bicycle, you should find one of the rental stations and wait until the light on your bicycle’s spot shines green.
Bicycle rental price
Price of bicycle access fee
24 hours: £ 2
7 days: £ 5
1 year (available for members only): £ 90
Bike rental fee:
First 30 minutes: Free
From 30 minutes onwards, for every additional half hour: £ 2
Additional costs:
If you return the bike late or damage it, the fine is up to £ 300.
The total amount will be charged after you leave the bike back at the station.
!! What you can also do is take a bike for less than half an hour, so you only pay: 2 pounds for access, then at the next stop to take a new bike again for less than half an hour because the first half hour is always free, you only pay access fee. This makes sense especially if you are visiting sights or museums because they are all located in the city center and you will not need more than about 20 minutes of driving until you get from one attraction to another.
