Following a reportedly successful introduction in 2022, the Santander e-bike fleet is expanding from the current 600 bikes to 2,000 bikes to make it even for Londoners to find and ride.
More than 750,000 e-bike hires have taken place since their introduction, with double the number of hires per bike per day compared to classic bikes. The additional e-bikes aim to boost capacity and be distributed across key central London locations.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“The e-bikes have proved hugely popular since they were introduced and help break down the barriers that stop some people from cycling. The new day pass rate will also make Santander bikes one of the most affordable ways to travel in the capital.”
Transport for London (TfL) and Santander are making further improvements to the Santander Cycles scheme by introducing a new day pass.
TfL reported the lack of access to a bike stands as a key barrier in stopping people from cycling and Santander Cycles is aiming to eliminate this hurdle by boosting sustainable transport options for people across the capital.
After an unsuccessful year in 2023 for e-scooters following their ban in Paris and several micro-mobility companies filing for bankruptcy, London is reportedly making strides to further e-bike fleets.
The new day pass will be introduced from Sunday 3 March with a daily rate of £3 for unlimited hires up to 30 minutes within 24 hours. Hires longer than 30 minutes incur an extra £1.65 for each additional 30 minutes.
The e-bikes are serviced on street by cargo bikes and electric vans, ensuring that the scheme is as sustainable as possible.
TfL saw 6.75 million e-bike hires in 2023 alone, standing as the highest since the scheme began.
