TfL Santander e-bikes rolled out across capital
By Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter
Rental e-bikes were rolled out across London yesterday as part of TfL’s Santander cycle hire scheme.
A total of 500 electric powered bikes will be available to hire from the 800 docking stations located around the capital.
It will cost users £3.30 per 30-minute journey on top of a one-off £3 registration fee to hire one of TfL’s new e-bikes.
Alternatively, holders of a £20 monthly or £120 annual membership to the Santander cycle hire scheme will face a £1 surcharge to hire an e-bike for 60 minutes.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said it was “another momentous moment” for cycling in London following a “record-breaking year” for TfL’s cycle hire scheme.
A record 9.5 million hires have been made already this year so far, 1.2 million more than at the same point last year.
Mr Khan said: “I am delighted to see our first ever Santander Cycles e-bikes in action on London’s streets today, and to join Londoners riding these e-bikes around our city on their first day.
“Their launch is another momentous moment for cycling in London after a record-breaking year for TfL’s Santander Cycles which saw over 12.5m hires.
“The new e-bikes have an important role to play in breaking down some of the barriers that prevent Londoners from getting on a bike, whether that be fitness, age or length of journey.
“I’m determined to make cycling as accessible as possible as we continue building a safer, greener, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Last month, ahead of the rollout of e-bikes, TfL changed the fares structure for the cycle hire scheme to make it “less complex and more flexible”.
Users wishing to hire a regular Santander Cycle will pay a flat rate of £1.65 per 30-minute journey, replacing the £2 charge which covered unlimited 30 minute journeys in a 24-hour period.
The £20 monthly membership or £120 annual membership grants holders unlimited 60-minute journeys on any of the 14,000 pedal-powered cycles available across London as part of TfL’s hire scheme.
Pictured top: New rental e-bikes (Picture: TfL)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
