London is one of the best cities for cycling with its well-planned and traffic-free cycling routes.
Ride through London’s routes packed with sightseeing opportunities for an incredible cycling experience.
Whether you are a local or a tourist avoiding long walks or just looking for a casual bike ride around the city, bike rental in London is the way to go.
The quickest and most convenient way to rent a bike in London is through Santander Cycles, a bike scheme London is best known for.
It is a public bicycle-sharing system that started operations in July 2010 with an annual ridership of about 10.9 million.
Santander Cycles is contracted by Transport for London (TfL) and is under the sponsorship of a British Bank known as Santander UK.
Today, there are over 12,000 cycles for rent across approximately 800 docking stations. If you need a speedy cycle for hire, read this bike rental London guide to help you know the steps.
Some other public transportation options you must know when travelling in London.
- London Underground
- London Bus
- London River Bus
- London Trams
- London DLR
- London Overground
- London Cable Cars
- Driving in London
- Taxis in London
In this guide, you will learn about:
- How Do Santander Bikes Work
- Santander Cycles App
- Santander Bikes Cost
- Santander Cycles Membership and Discounts
- Santander Bike Locations
- Santander Cycle Routes
- Santander Cycle Alternatives
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Bike Your Way Through London’s Greatest Views
Contents
- 1 How Do Santander Bikes Work
- 2 10 Steps on How to Hire a Santander Bike
- 3 Santander Cycles App
- 4 Santander Bikes Cost
- 5 Santander Cycles Membership and Discounts
- 6 Santander Bike Locations
- 7 Santander Cycle Routes
- 8 Santander Cycle Alternatives
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 10 Bike Your Way Through London’s Greatest Views
How Do Santander Bikes Work
Hiring a Santander bike is similar to renting a car – make a reservation, pay, use, and return. To hire a bike, download the Santander Cycles app or proceed directly to the nearest docking station.
In order to ride the bike, you need to use a “release code” given through the app or at the docking station.
The release code is like a passcode that should only be seen and used by you for safety purposes. Before cycling, check the bike’s overall condition such as the quality of the brakes and tires, and read on safety reminders. Afterward, you are ready to cycle through London’s cycle routes.
Once you are done cycling, return the bike to a vacant docking point. It is that simple! The bike scheme in London is easy-to-follow, but if you need additional assistance there are staff readily available through Contact Centre.
10 Steps on How to Hire a Santander Bike
Ride and return a Santander bike in 10 easy steps. Follow this step-by-step guide on how to hire a Santander bike.
- Hire a bike by downloading Santander Cycles app or going to the nearest docking station.
- Register your bank card in the app or use it as a Contactless Card at the docking station machine.
- Click “Hire a Cycle” and follow the instructions shown on the app or docking station machine screen.
- Afterward, a “release code” is displayed on the app screen or printed out at the docking station machine. The code is only valid at the docking station you chose and must be entered within 10 minutes.
- Choose a bike you like and check the bike’s overall condition.
- Enter the release code on the keypad of the docking slot.
- Wait for a green light before taking the bike out of the slot.
- Adjust the saddle height according to your liking and ride the bike through London’s cycling routes.
- Once you complete your journey, return the bike to any docking station closest to you with a vacant docking point or slot.
- Insert the bike into a docking slot and wait for a green light indicating that it is securely parked.
In case the docking point is full, you get an additional 15 minutes when you select “No docking point free” at the docking station machine.
In this way, you get extra time to find a nearby vacant docking point, which can be found when you select “Status of nearest docking station” through the app or at the docking station machine.
Santander Cycles App
If you want to skip the long lines at the docking station machine, download the Santander Cycles app from the AppStore or Google Play and get your release code as soon as possible.
Not only can you get your release code fast, but you can also have updated information on docking stations, live vacancy statues, and your recent cycling activities. Moreover, the app even shows the distance you covered and calories burned during your cycling journey.
With the help of the app, preparing for your cycling journey is effortless since you can search for cycling routes and docking stations. If you frequently use the same docking station, you can automatically save them as your favorites.
In this way, you do not have to keep searching for the same docking station every time you hire a bike.
Up for a challenge? Join a challenge with London Riders through the app. Joiners can have the chance to win free drinks from Caffe Nero with its weekly prize draw.
Santander Bikes Cost
The Pay as you ride minimum cost of hiring a Santander bike is £1.65 per 30 minutes. You can use the bike for up to 24 hours and pay for the accumulated 30-minute rate.
If you are planning to hire a Santander bike for the long term, you can opt for a Monthly membership for £20 a month or an Annual membership for £120 a year.
Get up to one hour of unlimited rides for one month with a Monthly membership or one hour of unlimited rides for one year with an Annual membership.
If you ride for more than an hour, you will then pay a membership rate of £1.65 per additional hour for both Monthly and Annual memberships. The bike should be returned in good condition and not longer than 24 hours.
Otherwise, you might have to pay a fee of up to £300. The Pay as you ride and membership cost is payable through the Santander Cycles app, membership key, and at the docking terminal stations.
Cash payment and Contactless Devices are not accepted, so you need to prepare your bank card or Contactless Card for payment.
Refer to the Santander Bikes Cost Table below for quick reference:
Santander Bikes Cost Table
| Cost | Membership Fee | |
| Pay as you ride | £1.65 per 30 minutes | Not Applicable |
| Monthly membership | Free one hour unlimited rides for one month + £1.65 for each additional hour | £20 per month |
| Annual membership | Free one hour unlimited rides for one year + £1.65 for each additional hour | £120 per year |
Santander Cycles Membership and Discounts
Become a Santander Cycles Member
To become a Santander Cycles Member, you need to sign up and create an account online or apply through the Santander Cycles app.
Members get the benefit of having quicker bike hires since you do not need to use the docking station machines. You can track your monthly or yearly membership activity with the help of the app.
Moreover, members are the only ones who can hire an e-bike instead of a regular bike. However, e-bikes are temporarily unavailable for hire at the moment.
If you buy a membership key, you can automatically use it to hire a bike instead of using the app.
How to Get a Santander Cycles Discount
Aside from free unlimited rides as a benefit, you can get more discounts as a member if you need cycles to commute to work, are an NHS employee, or are a student over 18 years old. If you are any of the users mentioned, then you are eligible for a discounted membership.
Refer to the Santander Cycles Discount Table below for more information on discount percentage and how to avail.
Santander Cycles Discount Table
| Qualified | Discount | How to Avail |
| Cycle to and from Work | 33-43% discount on annual membership fee | Apply through Cyclescheme and your employer is responsible for signing you up for a tax-free annual membership |
| NHS Employee | 50% discount on annual membership fee | Contact enquiries@santandercycles.tfl.gov.uk via your NHS email account to receive a promo code |
| Student (18 years old and above) | 25% discount on annual membership fee | Sign up with Student Beans to get a code for the annual membership discount |
Santander Bike Locations
Find a station using TfL’s Cycle Hire London Map. The map shows red, green, and yellow-orange circles indicating the status of each station.
Green indicates an abundance of bikes still available, whereas yellow orange means there are only a few bikes left, around one to three. If the indicator shows the color red, no bikes are available for hire.
To get more details, zoom in on the map and click on the icon of the docking station. You will see the address of the docking station, the number of bikes left, and the number of vacant docking slots for parking or returning. Moreover, it shows the time it was last updated.
The list below shows the docking stations across London. However, some stations may not be available due to various reasons such as business requirements, developments, or demolitions.
Check the updated list of Suspended and Removed Docking Stations provided by TfL to know which stations to avoid.
List of Santander Bike Stations
| Area | Docking Station |
| Aldgate | Central House |
| Jewry Street | |
| Braham Street | |
| Leman Street | |
| St. Mary Axe | |
| Houndsditch | |
| Angel | Torrens Street |
| Cloudesley Road | |
| Claremont Square | |
| Liverpool Road (N1 Centre) | |
| Chadwell Street | |
| Graham Street | |
| Risinghill Street | |
| City Road | |
| Islington Green | |
| Charlotte Terrace | |
| Avondale | Walmer Road |
| Evesham Street | |
| Clarendon Road | |
| Sirdar Road | |
| Freston Road | |
| Grenfell Road | |
| Rifle Place | |
| Bank | Queen Street 1 |
| Bank of England Museum | |
| Cheapside | |
| Queen Street 2 | |
| Bankside | New Globe Walk |
| Park Street | |
| Bankside Mix | |
| Poured Lines | |
| Lavington Street | |
| Southwark Street | |
| Tate Modern | |
| Barbican | Golden Lane |
| Aldersgate Street | |
| Museum of London | |
| Barbican Centre | |
| Battersea | Surrey Lane |
| Holden Street | |
| Sheepcote Lane | |
| Silverthorne Road | |
| Fawcett Close | |
| Ashley Crescent | |
| Hibbert Street | |
| Heath Road | |
| Orbel Street | |
| Westbridge Road | |
| Stanley Grove | |
| Battersea Church Road | |
| Vicarage Crescent | |
| Culvert Road | |
| Battersea Park | Queen’s Circus |
| Ethelburga Estate | |
| Austin Road | |
| Albert Bridge Road | |
| Alfreda Street | |
| Prince of Wales Drive | |
| Sopwith Way | |
| Battersea Power Station | |
| Gas Holders | |
| Bayswater | Hereford Road |
| Westbourne Grove | |
| Cleveland Gardens | |
| Orsett Terrace | |
| Gloucester Terrace | |
| Princes Square | |
| Devonshire Terrace | |
| Lancaster Gate | |
| Bishop’s Bridge Road West | |
| Ilchester Gardens | |
| Bishop’s Bridge Road East | |
| Belgravia | Eaton Square |
| Belgrave Square | |
| Grosvenor Crescent | |
| Eaton Square (South) | |
| Bourne Street | |
| Bermondsey | Tanner Street |
| Tooley Street | |
| Long Lane | |
| Tyers Gate | |
| Bermondsey Street | |
| George Row | |
| Tower Wharf | |
| Bermondsey Station | |
| Bethnal Green | Bethnal Green Garden |
| Cheshire Street | |
| York Hall | |
| Pott Street | |
| Old Ford Road | |
| Cephas Street | |
| Clarkson Street | |
| Pritchard’s Road | |
| Bancroft Road | |
| Wellington Row | |
| Globe Town Market | |
| Hollybush Gardens | |
| Durant Street | |
| Finnis Street | |
| Blackwall | Lancaster Drive |
| Naval Row | |
| East India DLR | |
| Bloomsbury | Brunswick Square |
| Malet Street | |
| Great Russell Street | |
| Cartwright Gardens | |
| Taviton Street | |
| British Museum | |
| Guilford Street | |
| Russell Square Station | |
| Bayley Street | |
| Tavistock Place | |
| Bedford Way | |
| Store Street | |
| Cromer Street | |
| Coram Street | |
| Borough | Bricklayers Arms |
| Dickens Square | |
| Bow | Southern Grove |
| Cantrell Road | |
| Mostyn Grove | |
| Malmesbury Road | |
| Bromley High Street | |
| Bow Church Station | |
| Devons Road | |
| Merchant Street | |
| Bow Road Station | |
| Furze Green | |
| Ackroyd Drive | |
| Brixton | St John’s Crescent |
| Saltoun Road | |
| Ferndale Road | |
| Brook Green | Brook Green South |
| Little Brook Green | |
| Camden Town | Harrington Square 1 |
| Eversholt Street | |
| Royal College Street | |
| Parkway | |
| Castlehaven Road | |
| Bonny Street | |
| Gloucester Avenue | |
| Arlington Road | |
| Greenland Road | |
| St Martins Close | |
| Hawley Crescent | |
| Canary Wharf | Fisherman’s Walk West |
| South Quay East | |
| Jubilee Plaza | |
| Heron Quays DLR | |
| Upper Bank Street | |
| Westferry Circus | |
| Import Dock | |
| Chelsea | St. Luke’s Church |
| Royal Avenue 1 | |
| Royal Avenue 2 | |
| Flood Street | |
| South Parade | |
| Manresa Road | |
| Phene Street | |
| Ormonde Gate | |
| The Vale | |
| Cadogan Gardens | |
| Chelsea Green (Closed) | |
| Clapham | Sugden Road |
| Gauden Road | |
| Clapham Common | Clapham Common Station |
| Clapham Common North Side | |
| Victoria Rise | |
| Clapham Junction | Falcon Road |
| Simpson Street | |
| Usk Road | |
| Dorothy Road | |
| Spanish Road | |
| Plough Terrace | |
| Grant Road East | |
| Ingrave Street | |
| St. John’s Road | |
| Abyssinia Close | |
| Limburg Road | |
| Clerkenwell | River Street |
| Ampton Street | |
| Farringdon Lane | |
| Clerkenwell Green | |
| Hardwick Street | |
| Margery Street | |
| Great Percy Street | |
| Berry Street | |
| Tysoe Street | |
| Covent Garden | Drury Lane |
| Earnshaw Street | |
| Kingsway | |
| Tavistock Street | |
| High Holborn | |
| Newton Street | |
| Cubitt Town | Jubilee Crescent |
| East Ferry Road | |
| Stebondale Street | |
| Saunders Ness Road | |
| St. John’s Park | |
| Preston’s Road | |
| Mudchute DLR | |
| De Beauvoir Town | Hertford Road |
| Earl’s Court | Penywern Road |
| West Cromwell Road | |
| Trebovir Road | |
| Collingham Gardens | |
| Bramham Gardens | |
| Knaresborough Place | |
| Nevern Place | |
| East Putney | Mexfield Road |
| Putney Bridge Road | |
| Elephant & Castle | Borough Road |
| LSBU (Borough Road) | |
| Geraldine Street | |
| Ontario Street | |
| Strata | |
| Westminster Bridge Road | |
| Gaywood Street | |
| Euston | Drummond Street |
| Euston Road | |
| Hampstead Road | |
| Endsleigh Gardens | |
| Warren Street Station | |
| Euston Square Gardens | |
| Gower Place | |
| Farringdon | West Smithfield Rotunda |
| Snow Hill | |
| Finsbury | Finsbury Library |
| Sadlers Sports Centre | |
| St. John Street | |
| Goswell Road (City Uni) | |
| Percival Street | |
| Fitzrovia | Scala Street |
| Bolsover Street | |
| Great Titchfield Street | |
| Rathbone Street | |
| Wells Street | |
| Howland Street | |
| Charlotte Street | |
| Foley Street | |
| Fulham | Fulham Park Road |
| Putney Bridge Station | |
| Finlay Street | |
| Aintree Street | |
| Elysium Place | |
| Crabtree Lane | |
| Bishop’s Avenue | |
| Everington Street | |
| Chesilton Road | |
| St. Peter’s Terrace | |
| Humbolt Road | |
| Ranelagh Gardens | |
| Guildhall | The Guildhall |
| Wood Street | |
| Fore Street | |
| Fore Street Avenue | |
| Hackney Central | London Fields |
| Ada Street | |
| Victoria Park Road | |
| Lansdowne Drive | |
| Hackney Wick | Monier Road |
| Haggerston | Thurtle Road |
| Whiston Road | |
| Goldsmith’s Row | |
| Queensbridge Road | |
| Regent’s Row | |
| Shoreditch Court | |
| Belford House | |
| Dunston Road | |
| Haggerston Road | |
| Hammersmith | Hammersmith Road |
| Southerton Road | |
| Manbre Road | |
| Colet Gardens | |
| Greyhound Road | |
| Rainville Road | |
| Ravenscourt Park Station | |
| Crisp Road | |
| Beryl Road | |
| Charing Cross Hospital | |
| Bridge Avenue | |
| Holborn | Hatton Wall |
| Northington Street | |
| Red Lion Square | |
| Holborn Circus | |
| Hatton Garden | |
| Theobald’s Road | |
| Chancery Lane | |
| Breams Buildings | |
| Stonecutter Street | |
| Southampton Place | |
| Carey Street | |
| Sardinia Street | |
| Wren Street | |
| Red Lion Street | |
| New Fetter Lane | |
| Bury Place | |
| St. Bride Street | |
| Lincoln’s Inn Fields | |
| Farringdon Street | |
| Portugal Street | |
| Holland Park | Hansard Mews |
| Abbotsbury Road | |
| Addison Road | |
| Princedale Road | |
| Hoxton | Windsor Terrace |
| Fanshaw Street | |
| Wenlock Road | |
| East Road | |
| Murray Grove | |
| Falkirk Street | |
| Shoreditch Park | |
| New North Road 1 | |
| New North Road 2 | |
| Pitfield Street North | |
| Hoxton Station | |
| Pitfield Street Central | |
| Eagle Wharf Road | |
| Hoxton Street | |
| Hyde Park | Park Lane |
| Bayswater Road | |
| Hyde Park Corner | |
| Wellington Arch | |
| Knightsbridge | |
| Triangle Car Park | |
| Serpentine Car Park | |
| Albert Gate | |
| Isley Court | Wandsworth Rd |
| Kennington | Cotton Garden Estate |
| Kennington Cross | |
| Cleaver Street | |
| Kennington Station | |
| Doddington Grove | |
| Phillimore Gardens | |
| De Vere Gardens | |
| Abingdon Villas | |
| Gloucester Road (North) | |
| Vicarage Gate | |
| Derry Street | |
| Ilchester Place | |
| Lexham Gardens | |
| Wright’s Lane | |
| Argyll Road | |
| Queen’s Gate (North) | |
| Kensington Church Street | |
| Kensington Town Hall | |
| Marloes Road | |
| Holland Park | |
| Kensington Gardens | Queensway |
| Black Lion Gate | |
| Queen’s Gate | |
| Palace Gate | |
| King’s Cross | St. Chad’s Street |
| Belgrove Street | |
| Pancras Road | |
| Calshot Street | |
| Crinan Street | |
| Killick Street | |
| Northdown Street | |
| Carnegie Street | |
| Birkenhead Street | |
| Good’s Way | |
| Handyside Street | |
| York Way | |
| Knightsbridge | Pont Street |
| Holy Trinity Brompton | |
| Sloane Avenue | |
| Seville Street | |
| Cadogan Place | |
| Kensington Gore | |
| Montpelier Street | |
| Harriet Street | |
| Imperial College | |
| Exhibition Road | |
| Prince Consort Road | |
| Denyer Street | |
| Ladbroke Grove | Lansdowne Walk |
| Ladbroke Grove Central | |
| Lansdowne Road | |
| Blenheim Crescent | |
| Limehouse | Flamborough Street |
| Westferry DLR | |
| Salmon Lane | |
| Lingham Street | Clapham Road |
| Liverpool Street | Christopher Street |
| Finsbury Circus | |
| Norton Folgate | |
| Wormwood Street | |
| Brushfield Street | |
| Sun Street | |
| Bell Lane | |
| Pindar Street | |
| Devonshire Square | |
| London Bridge | Snowsfields |
| Duke Street Hill | |
| Maida Vale | Maida Vale |
| Warwick Avenue Station | |
| Clifton Road | |
| Marylebone | Broadcasting House |
| Crawford Street | |
| Boston Place | |
| Paddington Street | |
| Old Quebec Street | |
| Baker Street | |
| Chapel Place | |
| Bell Street | |
| Portland Place | |
| Nutford Place | |
| Dorset Square | |
| Mallory Street | |
| Hinde Street | |
| Beaumont Street | |
| Westminster University | |
| Marylebone Lane | |
| Harrowby Street | |
| Shouldham Street | |
| George Street | |
| Penfold Street | |
| George Place Mews | |
| Edgware Road Station | |
| Portman Square | |
| New Cavendish Street | |
| Broadley Terrace | |
| Seymour Place | |
| Mayfair | Bruton Street |
| Curzon Street | |
| Grafton Street | |
| Woodstock Street | |
| Green Street | |
| North Audley Street | |
| South Audley Street | |
| Grosvenor Square | |
| St. George Street | |
| Millennium Hotel | |
| Stanhope Gate | |
| Farm Street | |
| Upper Grosvenor Street | |
| Clarges Street | |
| Green Park Station | |
| Park Lane | |
| Sackville Street | |
| Clifford Street (Closed) | |
| Mile End | Burdett Road |
| Queen Mary’s | |
| Maplin Street | |
| Antill Road | |
| Clinton Road | |
| Twig Folly Bridge | |
| Harford Street | |
| Mile End Stadium | |
| Mile End Park Leisure Centre | |
| Millwall | Napier Avenue |
| Millharbour | |
| Lightermans Road | |
| Spindrift Avenue | |
| Alpha Grove | |
| Monument | Great Tower Street |
| Lower Thames Street | |
| Monument Street | |
| Moorgate | Finsbury Square |
| Moorfields | |
| Bunhill Row | |
| Nine Elms | Riverlight North |
| Battersea Park Road | |
| Riverlight South | |
| North Kensington | St. Mark’s Road |
| Bevington Road West | |
| Notting Hill | Chepstow Villas |
| Campden Hill Road | |
| Notting Hill Gate Station | |
| Palace Gardens Terrace | |
| Pembridge Villas | |
| Turquoise Island | |
| Old Ford | Gunmakers Lane |
| Hewison Street | |
| Ford Road | |
| Driffield Road | |
| Wendon Street | |
| Olympia | Warwick Road |
| Kensington Olympia Station | |
| Russell Gardens | |
| Blythe Road | |
| Oval | Kennington Road Post Office |
| Kennington Oval | |
| Ashmole Estate | |
| Paddington | Porchester Place |
| South Wharf Road | |
| Frampton Street | |
| Southwick Street | |
| North Wharf Road | |
| St Mary’s Hospital | |
| Eastbourne Mews | |
| Paddington Green | |
| London Street | |
| Parson’s Green | Parson’s Green |
| Irene Road | |
| Broomhouse Lane | |
| Parsons Green Station | |
| Hurlingham Park | |
| Pimlico | Vauxhall Bridge |
| Warwick Square | |
| Alderney Street | |
| Rampayne Street | |
| Gloucester Street | |
| Grosvenor Road | |
| Claverton Street | |
| St. George’s Square | |
| Millbank Tower | |
| Chelsea Bridge | |
| Ebury Bridge | |
| Vincent Street | |
| Poplar | Lindfield Street |
| Canton Street | |
| Chrisp Street Market | |
| Teviot Street | |
| Langdon Park | |
| Newby Place | |
| Aberfeldy Street | |
| Stainsby Road | |
| Portobello | All Saints’ Road |
| All Saints Church | |
| Westbourne Park Road | |
| The Metropolitan | |
| Putney | Esmond Street |
| Felsham Road | |
| Putney Rail Station | |
| Disraeli Road | |
| Montserrat Road | |
| Oxford Road | |
| Upper Richmond Road | |
| Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park | East Village |
| Aquatic Centre | |
| Lee Valley VeloPark | |
| Timber Lodge | |
| Copper Box Arena | |
| Podium | |
| Here East North | |
| Here East South | |
| Rotherhithe | Rotherhithe Roundabout |
| Canada Water Station | |
| Sands End | William Morris Way |
| South Park | |
| Peterborough Road | |
| Stephendale Road | |
| Imperial Road | |
| Imperial Wharf Station | |
| Shad Thames | Curlew Street |
| Shadwell | Shadwell Station |
| Garnet Street | |
| Sutton Street | |
| Watney Street | |
| Shepherd’s Bush | Westfield Southern Terrace |
| Woodstock Grove | |
| Richmond Way | |
| Blythe Road West | |
| Shepherd’s Bush Road North | |
| Queensdale Road | |
| Shoreditch | Leonard Circus |
| Shoreditch High Street | |
| Commercial Street | |
| New Inn Yard | |
| Bethnal Green Road | |
| Worship Street | |
| Palissy Street | |
| Clifton Street | |
| Buxton Street 1 | |
| Brick Lane Market | |
| Columbia Road | |
| Granby Street | |
| Sloane Square | Sedding Street |
| Soho | Soho Square |
| Golden Square | |
| Wardour Street | |
| Broadwick Street | |
| Frith Street | |
| Moor Street | |
| Somers Town | Doric Way |
| Ossulston Street | |
| South Bank | Waterloo Road |
| Milroy Walk | |
| Stamford Street | |
| Jubilee Gardens | |
| Belvedere Road 1 | |
| Concert Hall Approach 1 | |
| Concert Hall Approach 2 | |
| Waterloo Bridge | |
| Belvedere Road 2 | |
| Sea Containers | |
| South Kensington | Gloucester Road (Central) |
| Emperor’s Gate | |
| Sumner Place | |
| Queen’s Gate (South) | |
| Old Brompton Road | |
| Queen’s Gate (Central) | |
| South Kensington Station | |
| Natural History Museum | |
| Gloucester Road Station | |
| Exhibition Road Museums 1 | |
| Exhibition Road Museums 2 | |
| Victoria & Albert Museum | |
| Southwark | Webber Street |
| Colombo Street | |
| Southwark Station 1 | |
| Southwark Station 2 | |
| Blackfriars Road | |
| St Lukes | Macclesfield Rd |
| St Pauls | King Edward Street |
| St. James’s | Waterloo Place |
| St. James’s Square | |
| St. John’s Wood | Charlbert Street |
| Lisson Grove | |
| Wellington Road | |
| St. John’s Wood Road | |
| Grove End Road | |
| Aberdeen Place | |
| Lord’s (Closed) | |
| Greenberry Street | |
| St. Luke’s | Roscoe Street |
| Old Street Station | |
| Finsbury Leisure Centre | |
| Bath Street | |
| Baldwin Street | |
| Godliman Street | |
| Newgate Street | |
| Queen Victoria Street | |
| Blackfriars Station | |
| Stepney | Jubilee Street |
| Aston Street | |
| St. Mary & St. Michael Church | |
| Stepney Green Station | |
| Albert Gardens | |
| Ansell House | |
| Cleveland Way | |
| Watney Market | |
| Rectory Square | |
| Aylward Street | |
| Stockwell | Caldwell Street |
| Clarence Walk | |
| Teversham Lane | |
| Hartington Road | |
| Binfield Road | |
| Albert Square | |
| Cranmer Road | |
| Normandy Road | |
| Wynne Road | |
| Sidney Road | |
| Strand | William IV Street |
| Strand | |
| Whitehall Place | |
| Houghton Street | |
| Embankment (Savoy) | |
| Wellington Street | |
| Craven Street | |
| Northumberland Avenue | |
| Southampton Street | |
| Somerset House | |
| Kingsway Southbound | |
| Stratford | Stratford Station |
| Temple | Bouverie Street |
| Tallis Street | |
| Arundel Street (Closed) | |
| Temple Gardens (Closed) | |
| The Borough | Great Dover Street |
| Borough High Street | |
| New Kent Road | |
| Hop Exchange | |
| Union Street | |
| Harper Road | |
| Empire Square | |
| Swan Street | |
| Great Suffolk Street | |
| The Regent’s Park | Longford Street |
| Park Road (Baker Street) | |
| St. John’s Wood Church | |
| London Zoo | |
| The Tennis Courts | |
| Prince Albert Road | |
| London Zoo Car Park | |
| Albany Street | |
| Tower | Crosswall |
| Tower Gardens | |
| St. Katharine’s Way | |
| Vauxhall | Vauxhall Cross |
| Sancroft Street | |
| Walnut Tree Walk | |
| Albert Embankment | |
| Lollard Street | |
| Lambeth Road | |
| Kennington Road | |
| Kennington Lane Rail Bridge | |
| Black Prince Road | |
| Vauxhall Street | |
| Fire Brigade Pier | |
| Vauxhall Walk | |
| Sail Street | |
| South Lambeth Road | |
| New Spring Gardens Walk | |
| Victoria | Tachbrook Street |
| Guildhouse Street | |
| Eccleston Place | |
| Ashley Place | |
| Belgrave Road | |
| Elizabeth Bridge | |
| Queen Mother Sports Centre | |
| Allington Street | |
| Victoria Park | Gascoyne Road |
| Cadogan Close | |
| Bonner Gate | |
| Walham Green | Eel Brook Common |
| Erin Close | |
| Michael Road | |
| Fulham Broadway | |
| Sandilands Road | |
| Walworth | Hampton Street |
| Rodney Road | |
| Walworth Square | |
| Victory Place | |
| Burgess Park Albany Road | |
| Brandon Street | |
| Wandsworth | Putney Pier |
| Wandsworth Town Station | |
| Nantes Close | |
| Morie Street | |
| Smugglers Way | |
| Neville Gill Close | |
| Osiers Road | |
| Northfields | |
| Alma Road | |
| Ram Street | |
| Santos Road | |
| Wandsworth Common | Spencer Park |
| Wandsworth Road | Union Grove |
| Courland Grove | |
| Stewart’s Road | |
| Wapping | Nesham Street |
| Wapping High Street | |
| Hermitage Court | |
| Wapping Lane | |
| Reardon Street | |
| Pennington Street | |
| Dock Street | |
| Waterloo | Waterloo Station 3 |
| Baylis Road | |
| Lambeth North Station | |
| Lower Marsh | |
| Waterloo Station 2 | |
| King Edward Walk | |
| Waterloo Station 1 | |
| Archbishop’s Park | |
| Lambeth Palace Road | |
| West Brompton | Hortensia Road |
| Harcourt Terrace | |
| West Chelsea | Limerston Street |
| Drayton Gardens | |
| Danvers Street | |
| World’s End Place | |
| Thorndike Close | |
| Upcerne Road | |
| Lots Road | |
| West End | Panton Street |
| Little Argyll Street | |
| Charles II Street | |
| Pall Mall East | |
| St. Martin’s Street | |
| West Kensington | Normand Park |
| Vereker Road | |
| Coomer Place | |
| West Kensington Station | |
| Barons Court Station | |
| Star Road | |
| Gwendwr Road | |
| Halford Road | |
| Westminster | Abbey Orchard Street |
| Rochester Row | |
| Horseferry Road | |
| Regency Street | |
| Smith Square | |
| Vincent Square | |
| Greycoat Street | |
| Butler Place | |
| Howick Place | |
| Page Street | |
| Abingdon Green | |
| Buckingham Gate | |
| Storey’s Gate | |
| Westminster Pier | |
| Kings Gate House | |
| Warwick Row | |
| White City | Westfield Ariel Way |
| BBC White City | |
| Whitechapel | LMU Commercial Road |
| New Road 1 | |
| Fashion Street | |
| Royal London Hospital | |
| Philpot Street | |
| Fournier Street | |
| Old Montague Street | |
| Selby Street |
Santander Cycle Routes
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Before heading to the road, it is important to know about the allowable routes you can pass through.
Take a look at the Cycle Routes Map to know where you can cycle and the docking stations available on each route. The cycle routes shown on the map start with the letters C and Q.
When you click on a cycle route, the map shows the name of the route and the pathway it covers.
The cycle routes on the map are color-coded with green, purple, or blue lines to be able to distinguish each route.
The table below lists the cycle routes from the Cycle Routes Map, as well as their coverage and borough.
Santander Cycle Routes Table
| Borough | Cycle Route | Coverage |
| Enfield, Haringey, Hackney, Islington | C1 (Cycleway 1) | Tottenham, South Tottenham,
Newington Green, Broadwater Road, Church Ln, Philip Ln, A10, Holmdale Terrace, W Bank, Fairholt Road, Mayville Estate |
| Tower Hamlets, Newham | C2 (Cycleway 2) | Whitechapel, Mile End, Bow, Stratford |
| Westminster, City of London, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking and Dagenham | CS3 (Cycle Superhighway 3) | Barking, Blackwall, Blackfriars, Beckton, Canary Wharf, City of London, Hyde Park, East India, Limehouse, Lancaster Gate, Embankment, Tower Gateway, Shadwell, Westferry, Poplar, Canning Town, Prince Regent Lane, Westminster |
| Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich | C4 (Cycleway 4) | London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Greenwich, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe roundabout, Surrey Quays |
| Lambeth, Wandsworth | C5 (Cycleway 5) | Little Portugal, Waterloo, Vauxhall, Stockwell, Clapham Common |
| Camden, Islington, Southwark | C6 (Cycleway 6) | Kentish Town, King’s Cross, Farringdon, Ludgate Circus, Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark, St. George’s Circus, Elephant & Castle |
| City of London, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth | CS7 (Cycle Superhighway 7) | City of London, Clapham Common, Clapham South, Clapham North, Clapham High Street, Elephant & Castle, Kennington, Oval, Stockwell, Balham, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, Southwark Bridge |
| Wandsworth, Westminster | CS8 (Cycle Superhighway 8)
C8 (Cycleway 8) |
Wandsworth High Street, Wandsworth Town, Battersea High Street, Battersea Park, Chelsea Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, Lambeth Bridge |
| Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham | C9 (Cycleway 9) | Brentford, Chiswick, Kew Bridge, Hammersmith, Turnham Green Terrace |
| Southwark | C10 (Cycleway 10) | Greenwich, Waterloo, Borough, Bermondsey Spa, South Bermondsey, Deptford |
| Southwark | C14 (Cycleway 14) | Deptford, London Bridge, Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Waterloo |
| Redbridge | C16 (Cycleway 16) | Aldersbrook, Aldborough Hatch, Wanstead Park, Manor Park, Valentines Park, Barkingside |
| Southwark | C17 (Cycleway 17) | Burgess Park, Walworth |
| Enfield | C20 (Cycleway 20) | Enfield Town, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green |
| Enfield | C21 (Cycleway 21) | Bush Hill, Edmonton Green, Meridian Water |
| Hackney, Waltham Forest | C23 (Cycleway 23) | Lea Bridge, Bakers Arms, Whipps Cross, North Millfields Recreation Ground |
| Enfield | C26 (Cycleway 26) | Angel Gardens |
| Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Camden | C27 (Cycleway 27) | East Acton, Wormwood Scrubs, North Kensington, Notting Hill, Paddington, Marylebone, Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury |
| Kingston upon Thames | C28 (Cycleway 28) | Kingston High Street, Palmerston Road |
| Kingston upon Thames | C29 (Cycleway 29) | Kingston station, Surbiton, Tolworth |
| Kingston upon Thames | C30 (Cycleway 30) | Kingston Town Centre, Kingston Hospital, Kingston Vale |
| Kingston upon Thames, Merton | C31 (Cycleway 31) | New Malden, Raynes Park |
| Kingston upon Thames | C32 (Cycleway 32) | Kingston Town Centre, New Malden |
| Greenwich, Lewisham | C33 (Cycleway 33) | Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich Town Centre |
| Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham | C34 (Cycleway 34) | North Acton, East Acton, White City |
| Southwark | C35 (Cycleway 35) | Bermondsey Spa, Peckham |
| Islington | C38 (Cycleway 38) | Finsbury Park, Liverpool Road |
| Kensington & Chelsea | C39 (Cycleway 39) | Russell Road, Kensington High Street |
| Hounslow | C40 (Cycleway 40) | Brentford, Syon Park, Twickenham |
| Southwark | C41 (Cycleway 41) | Holborn, Charles Dickens Museum, Novelty Automation, Sir John Soane’s Museum, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children |
| Barking and Dagenham | C42 (Cycleway 42) | Barking Town Centre, Barking Riverside |
| Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster | C44 (Cycleway 44) | Queen’s Park, Grand Union Canal, North Kensington, Notting Hill |
| Southwark | C47 (Cycleway 47) | Covent Garden, University of London, Fitzrovia |
| Westminster | C55 (Cycleway 55) | Lancaster Gate, Marble Arch, Hyde Park |
| Lambeth | C56 (Cycleway )56 | Westminster Bridge |
| Camden, City of London, Lambeth, Kensington & Chelsea, Greenwich,
Kingston upon Thames |
C (Cycleway) | Areas of Central London, Greenwich, Charlton, Surbiton |
| Camden, City of Westminster | Q1 (Quietway 1) | Bloomsbury, Holborn, Covent Garden |
| Islington, Hackney, Waltham Forest | Q2 (Quietway 2) | Clerkenwell, Angel, Canonbury, De Beauvoir Town, London Fields, Clapton, Lea Bridge, Walthamstow Wetlands, Walthamstow Central |
| Brent | Q3 (Quietway 3) | Gladstone Park, Kilburn Grange Park, Brondesbury |
| Lambeth, Wandsworth, Merton | Q4 (Quietway 4) | Clapham Common to Wimbledon |
| Southwark | Q7 (Quietway 7) | Dulwich Village |
| Islington, Hackney, City of London | Q11 (Quietway 11) | Bunhill Fields Burial Ground, Shepherdess Walk Park, Angel, Old Street, City of London |
| Islington, Tower Hamlets, Hackney | Q13 (Quietway 13) | Hackney City Farm Yard, Old Street, Shoreditch, Mildmay Mission Hospital, London Fields, Broadway Market |
| Southwark, Greenwich | Q14 (Quietway 14) | River Thames, Greenwich, Crossness, Nature Reserve, Charlton Riverside, Woolwich, Thamesmead |
| Kensington & Chelsea | Q15 (Quietway 15) | Brompton Cemetery, Earl’s Court, South Kensington, Chelsea |
| Canal & River Trust | Q16 (Quietway 16) | West Drayton, Stockley Park, North Circular Road, Old Oak Lane, Regent’s Canal |
| Kensington & Chelsea | Q19 (Quietway 19) | Belgravia, Lowndes Square Gardens, Embassy of France |
| Newham | Q22 (Quietway 22) | Memorial Recreation Ground, Newham University Hospital, Stratford High Street, West Ham, Plaistow, Fish Island, East Ham, North Beckton |
| Lambeth, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, City of London, Islington, Hackney | Q (Quietway) | Areas of Central London |
If you want to see the sights London has to offer, you can cycle the sights with Santander Cycles.
As you ride through the route, you will be able to explore several must-see attractions such as Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, Science Museum, and Royal Albert Hall, to name a few. Explore cycle routes using TfL’s quick guide.
Moreover, you can also check out Santander Cycles sightseeing and the Northern line cycle routes guide provided by TfL. Here are some attractions to visit on popular cycle routes.
List of Cycle Route Attractions
| Cycle Route | Attractions |
| C1 | Bruce Castle Museum, Tottenham Green, Abney Park, Dalston Easton Curve |
| C2 | Mile End Park, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |
| CS3 | Museum of London Docklands, River Thames |
| C4 | Crossbones Graveyard, Borough Market, Brunel Museum, Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, Severndroog Castle |
| C5 | Kennington Park, Vauxhall Park |
| C6 | British Library, Camden Market, Regents Canal Footpath |
| CS7 | Kennington Park, Vauxhall Park, Elephant Park, The Clink Prison Museum |
| CS8
C8 |
King George’s Park, River Thames, Battersea Park, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo |
| C9 | Gunnersbury Park Museum, Chiswick House and Gardens, Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve |
| C10 | The British Museum, Sir John Soane’s Museum |
| C17 | Elephant Park, East Street market, Burgess Park BMX track |
| C20 | Enfield Town Centre, Enfield Town Park |
| C23 | Epping Forest, WaterWorks Centre Nature Reserve & Middlesex Filter Beds |
| C47 | The British Museum, Sir John Soane’s Museum |
| C55 | Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens |
Santander Cycle Alternatives
Aside from Santander Cycle, there are other options that offer the same bike-sharing scheme in London.
In case Santander Cycle is not available or you simply want to try other service providers, here are some alternatives to check out.
To help you compare, I created a table showing its features that you may love or not like, area coverage, and price comparison.
To learn more about its fees and packages, you need to download the apps from Google Play or AppStore. The app shows the specific coverage on where you can find a bike for hire.
| Bike | Coverage | What You’ll Love | What You May Not Like | Price |
| Lime | Most London areas | User-friendly app
Easy payment option Easy to follow unlock and lock system |
Can be more expensive than riding a bus for longer journeys
May not always be available |
£1 to unlock
First 10 minutes are free £0.15 per minute to use |
| HumanForest | The City of London, Camden, Islington, and Kensington and Chelsea | All bikes are electric to reduce CO2
Bikes are lightweight Earn loyalty points per mile cycled that can be used for free rides Parking inside a Green Bay is free Has a phone charging port on the bike |
Parking outside of a Green Bay is £1.50
Limited London coverage |
First 10 minutes are free
£0.17 per minute to use |
| Dott | London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham | Bright colored bikes for safety
Battery life can last a 60km journey Uses 26-inch wheels for better hold |
Pay a relocation fee if parked in areas other than its designated parking spot
Limited London coverage |
£1 to unlock £0.17 per minute to use |
| Freebike | Central and East London, Westminster, Whitechapel, and Southwark areas | More savings since the rental time can be paused in case you need to stop cycling due to a toilet break or meeting, for example.
Returning the bike can be from the app by pressing the Return Bike option or pressing the brake three times |
Free parking at Virtual Stations is only in Central and East London
Cannot ride the bike beyond the Freebike operating areas since the bike will be blocked Limited London coverage |
£1 per 10 minutes
First 30 minutes are free Plus an additional fee of £1 in permitted zones and £2 in the City of London |
| Swapfiets | Most London areas | Get your own bike via subscription membership
Bike repair and maintenance are included Bike swap is possible for unserviceable bikes Subscription can be canceled anytime Free bike delivery or store pickup Variety of bikes to choose from |
Most suitable for those needing long-term bikes
Bikes are a bit heavy Some find the back tire flap is too wobbly No damage or theft insurance coverage |
The price depends on bike type:
Original £16.90 per month Deluxe 7 £19.90 per month Power 1 £59.90 per month Power 7 £109.90 per month |
| TIER | Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham | Easy registration
Emission-free bikes Easily find designated parking areas from the map |
Limited London coverage
Reported parking procedure issues Bikes are too heavy Rides ended in a No Parking Zone will still continue to be charged per-minute fees |
£1 to unlock
£0.15 per minute |
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get a Santander Bike for Free?
The only way you can hire a Santander bike is when you pay the minimum Pay as you go ride of £1.65 per 30 minutes or £1.65 per hour for members. However, you can get free unlimited rides for one hour if you are a Monthly or Annual member.
Moreover, if you wait for promos such as Car Free Day, Santander bikes are free for hire when you use a promo code given on the Santander Cycles app.
Is There a Santander Cycle Hire Overcharge?
If you do not return the bike after 24 hours or properly secure it upon returning, there is a possibility of an overcharge. Once you pull out the bike from its docking slot, the charge starts counting.
So before taking out the bike from its port, make sure you have double-checked the bike’s condition.
How to Report a Faulty or Damaged Cycle?
In case it is faulty or damaged, report its condition by returning the bike and securing it at the docking slot. Afterward, press the Fault button within 10 seconds to report it.
Alternatively, you can contact the Contact Centre on 0343 222 6666 or use the app to report the faulty or damaged cycle.
Bike Your Way Through London’s Greatest Views
With London’s cycle routes and easy access to Santander bikes, traveling by bike is an exhilarating experience. Feel the breeze pass through while you feed your eyes with the amazing sights of London.
On top of that, you get to skip the traffic and simply cycle your way from point A to B smoothly.
Did you find this Santander cycle guide helpful for your journey? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share this guide for anyone who wants to hire a Santander cycle as well!
