London cycle scheme celebrates ten year anniversary

87 million hires have been made using the Transport for London (TfL) and Santander cycle scheme since it launched a decade ago. 

TfL launched the cycle scheme in July 2010 across eight London boroughs with 315 docking stations. Ten years later there are now over 12,000 bikes available from 781 docking stations across the city.

Of the 87 million hires, over 10 million of these were made in 2019.

In 2019, new docking stations were added at Blackfriars, Victoria, Queensway and Paddington railway stations, and extra bikes have been added around London Bridge station.

TfL plans to continue expanding the cycle scheme, with plans to add new docking stations around parks and other busy railway stations. This Spring, there will be five new docking stations along Cycleway 4 at Southwark.

To celebrate their ten year anniversary, TfL and Santander will be awarding a prize every month to people who hired the bikes within the first year.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: ‘I am delighted that the scheme is set to expand even further in 2020 to enable more Londoners to take to two wheels, helping to improve our health and tackle congestion and air.

Dan Sherwood, the interim chief marking officer at Santander, said: ‘It’s incredible to celebrate 10 years since the scheme launched.

‘Over that time the cycles have covered more than 100km2 of London, ensuring that more communities can benefit from the fantastic scheme.

‘We look forward to another exciting year of success in 2020.

Fran Graham, campaigners coordinator at London cycling campaign said: ‘The cycles rightly take their place alongside the double-decker as an iconic London transport mode.

‘And as the network of safe cycle routes grows, these are enabling more and more people to experience the joy, ease and benefits that come with cycling.

‘The scheme’s success shows that Londoners want more active travel choices and it is helping our city cut air pollution, inactivity and climate-changing emissions, as the bikes are increasingly being used to hop to business meetings, for commuters to get to work and by tourists pootling around our iconic parks.’

In related news, millions of e-bikes could be sold in the UK each year as improvements to bicycles and better cycling routes make cycling increasingly popular.

Photo Credit — Pixabay