Santander Cycles

File:Annual TfL cycle hires 2023.png

In August 2007, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, announced that he was planning to implement a cycle-hire scheme modelled on the successful Vélib' network in Paris. Following discussions with the Mayor of Paris, Livingstone instructed transport officials to study the Paris and similar schemes, and draw up proposals for London.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6939591.stm | title=Plans for bikes on street corners | date=9 August 2007 }} Discussions were conducted between Transport for London (TfL), the London boroughs and transport commissioners from Lyon, Brussels, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Oslo and Copenhagen.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/348625/paris-free-bike-hire-scheme-could-work-in-london-says-mayor.html |title=Paris free bike hire scheme could work in London, says Mayor|publisher=cyclingweekly.co.uk |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=11 May 2013}}

In February 2008, plans for the London cycle-hire scheme were officially unveiled by Livingstone.{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-climate-britain-bicycles-idUKL1140690420080211 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307094138/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-climate-britain-bicycles-idUKL1140690420080211 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 March 2016 |title=Livingstone announces major cycling scheme |publisher=reuters.com |date=11 February 2008 |access-date=11 May 2013}} The CTC and Green Party hailed the proposals as revolutionary.

The scheme commenced operations as Barclays Cycle Hire on 30 July 2010 with 5,000 bicycles and 315 docking stations distributed across the City of London area and parts of eight London boroughs.{{cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2010/july/mayors-flagship-cycling-scheme--barclays-cycle-hire--opens-for-business |title=Mayor's flagship cycling scheme - Barclays Cycle Hire - opens for business |publisher=Transport for London |date=30 July 2010 |access-date=22 April 2011}} The scheme was at first located mainly within the central zone, roughly bounded by the Zone 1 area of the Transport for London zoning system. The initial target was for it to comprise 400 docking stations when complete, at roughly 330-yard (300-metre) intervals. The initial planning and implementation costs were expected to total more than £140{{nbsp}}million over the first six years of the project, exclusive of operating costs.

Initially, the scheme required initial payment of registration and membership fees to be paid in exchange for an electronic access key, but on 3 December 2010 this was changed to allow casual cycle hires by non-members who have a valid credit or debit card.{{cite web |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/17591.aspx |title=Transport for London Mayor's flagship Barclays Cycle Hire is now open to anyone, anytime |publisher=Transport for London |date=3 December 2010 |access-date=22 April 2011}}

The project was expected to cost £140 million for planning and implementation over six years, potentially the only TfL system to fully fund its annual cost of operation, a goal originally estimated to take two to three years.{{cite news|last=Whitehead |first=Frederika |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2010/oct/13/london-bike-hire-profit/ |title=London bike hire scheme on road to be only public transport system in profit |work=Guardian |location=UK |date= 13 October 2010|access-date=23 February 2011}}: Once BCH revenues can fully pay for annual costs of operation, revenues may then be allocated towards repayment of the estimated £140 million in planning and implementation costs of the project. The cost including installing the docking stations at around £200,000 each.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2016/11/09/cycle-hire-docking-stations-tfl-hackney/|title=Why are there so few TfL cycle hire docking stations in Hackney? - Hackney Citizen|date=9 November 2016|work=Hackney Citizen|access-date=26 August 2018|language=en-GB}}

Between December 2010 and the end of May 2013, the scheme had registered 22 million rides without a death.{{cite web|last=Spiegelhalter|first=David|title=Fatality risk on Boris bikes?|url=http://understandinguncertainty.org/fatality-risk-boris-bikes|publisher=Understanding Uncertainty|access-date=30 August 2013}} The first fatality of a user of the scheme occurred in July 2013. A 20-year-old woman, Philippine De Gerin-Ricard, was killed outside Aldgate East Underground station after being struck by a lorry,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23207691 |title=First 'Boris bike' cyclist killed in lorry crash |publisher=BBC |date=6 July 2013 |access-date=6 July 2013}} prompting a protest ride calling for improved separation between cycle routes and other traffic.{{cite web|title=Campaigners call for better cycle lanes after French student killed on Boris Bike near Aldgate|work=East London Advertiser |date=16 July 2013|url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/campaigners_call_for_better_cycle_lanes_after_french_student_killed_on_boris_bike_near_aldgate_1_2281204|publisher=The Docklands & East London Advertiser|access-date=30 August 2013 |last1=Kvist |first1=Else }}

File:Blue, Yellow and Red Boris Bikes 2015-05-01.jpg) and red (Santander Cycles) cycles in a docking station]]

Owing to the success of the scheme, major expansions have taken place to increase the number of bikes and docking stations across London.

The first major expansion was in March 2012, with a significant expansion in east London in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, with a minor expansion westwards to the new Westfield London shopping centre in Shepherds Bush. This expansion added 2,300 additional bikes and 4,800 docking points.{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2012/march/major-eastern-expansion-of-mayors-flagship-barclays-cycle-hire-scheme-goes-live|title=Major eastern expansion of Mayor's flagship Barclays Cycle Hire scheme goes live |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 August 2018}} In December 2013, the scheme received a further significant expansion ('Phase 3') in west and south west London. This expansion added approximately 2,000 more bikes and 150 new docking points, with new stations in the boroughs of Wandsworth, Hammersmith & Fulham, Lambeth and Kensington & Chelsea.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/boris-bike-scheme-makes-tracks-south-and-west-as-it-grows-50-9002311.html|title=Boris bike scheme makes tracks south and west as it grows 50%|last=Beard|first=Matthew|work=Evening Standard|date=13 December 2013|access-date=14 December 2013}}

In 2015, sponsorship of the scheme transferred from Barclays to Santander, with the branding of the scheme becoming Santander Cycles. According to TfL, the £43.75{{nbsp}}million sponsorship deal over seven years is the largest public sector sponsorship in the world. Santander's sponsorship was extended in May 2021 for a further three years until April 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-28/santander-extends-sponsorship-of-london-cycle-hire-until-2025|title=Santander Extends Sponsorship of London Cycle Hire Until 2025|last=Smith|first=Rebecca|work=Bloomberg|date=28 May 2021|access-date=19 July 2021}}

The scheme has continued to expand in recent years, to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in January 2016,{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2016/january/santander-cycles-expands-to-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park|title=Santander Cycles expands to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 August 2018}} and Brixton in February 2018.{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/february/gla---brixton-welcomes-santander-cycles|title=GLA - Brixton welcomes Santander Cycles |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 August 2018}} The scheme now spreads across {{convert|40|sqmi}} of London with more than 12,000{{nbsp}}bikes and 800{{nbsp}}stations.{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/july/cycle-hire-scheme-celebrates-best-ever-month-of-hires |title=Cycle hire scheme celebrates best ever month of hires |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 August 2018}} Vélib', the public bicycle hire scheme in Paris, is much larger with 20,000 bikes and 1,400 stations spread across 450 km².{{Cite web |date= |title=About Vélib |url=https://www.velib-metropole.fr/en_GB/service |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=Vélib' Métropole}}{{Cite web |title=Le vélo partagé accessible à tous |url=https://autolibmetropole.fr/services/velib-metropole/ |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=SAVM}}

In October 2022, TfL expanded the cycle scheme with the addition of 500 new docked e-bikes.

Regular users of the scheme can register on the TfL website for ad hoc use (pay by journey), one month unlimited use (recurring subscription), or one year unlimited use. Registered users can undock the bike using an app, or can buy a key (£3) to operate the docking stations (up to four keys can be registered under a single account). The key allows a cycle to be released from the docking station.{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/register-for-your-own-key?intcmp=2312|title = Santander Cycles membership}}

On 3 December 2010, the scheme was extended to casual users who are not members of the scheme but hold major payment cards.{{cite web|author=Hugh Gladstone |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/508958/how-to-use-the-london-cycle-hire-scheme-on-casual-basis.html |title=How to use the London cycle hire scheme on casual basis |publisher=Cyclingweekly.co.uk |date=3 December 2010 |access-date=23 February 2011}} The cost is the same to members and casual users, except that casual use for one year is not available. A credit or debit card can be used in a docking station to release a bicycle.

Usage charges are charged at £1.65 per every 30{{nbsp}}minutes or part thereof, registered members that have a subscription can have unlimited rides of up to 60{{nbsp}}minutes during their subscription period, then £1.65 per additional 30{{nbsp}}minutes or part thereof.{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/what-you-pay|title = What you pay |website=Transport for London |language=en-GB |access-date=1 February 2023 }}

Since 2022, electrically assisted bikes (e-bikes) have also been available. These are only available to registered users (unlocked via the app or a key), for £3.30 per journey up to 30{{nbsp}}minutes (subscribers pay a £1 supplement per journey up to 60{{nbsp}}minutes). All users pay £3.30 per additional 30{{nbsp}}minutes.

File:Barclays Cycle Hire bike.jpg]]

File:Barclays Cycle Hire bike handlebar.jpg

The original bicycles were built by Cycles Devinci to the following specification:{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15020.aspx |title=The cycles | Cycling | Transport for London |publisher=Tfl.gov.uk |access-date=23 February 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.croydoncyclist.co.uk/riding-the-barclays-cycle-hire |title=Riding the Barclays Cycle Hire |publisher=Croydon Cyclist |date=5 July 2010 |access-date=29 April 2014}}

• Puncture-resistant tyres to increase durability.
• Drum brakes on both wheels, controlled by right-front, left-rear brake levers on handlebar.
• Three-speed hub gear operated by a twist grip on right handlebar.
• Bell on left handlebar.
• Chain guard.
• Gear linkage guard.
• Dynamo-powered front and rear LED lights (for visibility to other traffic, not road illumination) which flash when the bicycle is being ridden and for at least two{{nbsp}}minutes after it has stopped.
• Small luggage rack in front of handlebar, open at the sides, with elastic shock cord to secure possessions.
• Kickstand.
• Reflective numbers affixed on both sides of frame by rear wheel axle, uniquely identifying each bike.

The bicycles are utility bicycles with a step-through frame. The cycles are not provided with locks (unlike the Vélib' scheme in Paris).

The one-piece aluminium frame and handlebars conceal cables and fasteners in an effort to protect them from vandalism, damage and inclement weather. The heavy-duty tyres are designed to be puncture-resistant and are filled with nitrogen to maintain proper inflation pressure longer.{{cite web | url = http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23836583-taking-a-ride-on-boriss-hot-wheels-hire-bikes.do | title = Taking a ride on Boris's hot wheels hire bikes | author = Ross Lydall | date = 21 May 2010 | publisher = London Evening Standard | access-date = 29 June 2010}} A row of five LEDs on front of the luggage rack and twin LED rear lights are integrated into the robust frame, which weighs approximately {{cvt|23|kg}}.{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Stephen |url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/blog/boris-bike-gets-the-engineer-test/1004046.article#Scene_1 |title=Boris bike gets The Engineer test |work=The Engineer |date=30 July 2010 |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314015839/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/blog/boris-bike-gets-the-engineer-test/1004046.article#Scene_1 |archive-date=14 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}Brady, Brian (2011), [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/twothirds-of-londons-boris-bikes-need-repairs-2219984.html Two-thirds of London's Boris Bikes need repairs], The Independent, 20 February 2011

The bikes were designed by industrial designer Michel Dallaire and built in the Saguenay, Quebec region by Cycles Devinci.

The cycles are low-geared to compensate for their weight and to provide a way of limiting their top speed. Using a Shimano Nexus three-hub gear with a 38-tooth chainring in front and a larger than standard 23 tooth rear sprocket the setting is 32{{nbsp}}gear inches in first gear, 44{{nbsp}}gear inches in second gear, and 60{{nbsp}}gear inches in third gear.{{cite web|url=http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/105089-london-cycle-hire-boris-bikes|title=Know your Boris Bike|date=5 January 2024 }} This gearing is about 22% lower than would be usual on a three-speed cycle of this sort.

The cycles and the docking stations are built in Canada by PBSC Urban Solutions and are based on the Bixi (bike taxi) cycle rental system that operates in many cities including Montreal,{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/part-3-of-a-series-pbsc-urban-solutions-brings-bike-sharing-to-the-world|title=Bixi: PBSC Urban Solutions brings bike-sharing to the world (Part 3)|date=23 October 2015|website=Montreal Gazette|language=en-US|access-date=17 June 2016}} Melbourne{{Cite web|url=http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/faq|title=Melbourne Bike Share {{!}} FAQ|website=www.melbournebikeshare.com.au|access-date=17 June 2016}} and Toluca.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sibrtonline.org/en/noticias/386/|title=PBSC Urban Solutions launched Huizi Toluca, the city's brand new bike-sharing program|website=www.sibrtonline.org|access-date=17 June 2016|archive-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113203016/http://www.sibrtonline.org/en/noticias/386/|url-status=dead}}

In December 2015 it was decided to fit all the cycles with front laser lights. The laser projects a green cycle symbol approximately {{convert|15|ft|m|sigfig=1}} in front of the bike to warn drivers and effectively reduce blind angles.{{cite news|last1=Murgia|first1=Madhumita|title=All 11,500 'Boris bikes' to be fitted with lasers to improve cyclist safety|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/12063953/TfL-bikes-will-come-with-lasers-to-improve-cyclist-safety.html|date=22 December 2015 | url-access = subscription}}

A new design made by Pashley Cycles was introduced in late 2017 with the following changes:{{Cite web |last=Wynn |first=Nigel |date=2017-10-30 |title=London's new Santander Cycles hire bike: smaller wheels, better brakes and improved lights |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/londons-new-santander-cycles-hire-bike-smaller-wheels-better-brakes-improved-lights-356842 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=cyclingweekly.com |language=en}}

• Smaller frame
• Smaller wheels: {{convert|24|in}}
• Shimano brakes
• Puncture resistant tyres

New e-bikes were introduced in October 2022, with the following changes:{{Cite web |last=Lydall |first=Ross |date=12 August 2022 |title=E-bikes to be added to 'Boris Bike' fleet from September |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/boris-bikes-ebike-electric-santander-cycle-september-hire-charge-increase-b1018207.html |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}

• “Power assist” motor{{snd}} maximum speed {{cvt|15.5|mph}}
• Electric battery

• Docking: when the battery charge falls to 20 per cent, maintenance staff receive an alert and the e-bikes cannot be released from their docking station until a fully-charged replacement battery is installed.

The success of the scheme has led to its expansion into other areas of London. {{As of|2018|8}}, the coverage area is roughly bounded by:{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/find-a-docking-station|title=Find a docking station |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 August 2018}}

• North of the Thames: Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, the Westway, St John's Wood, Camden Town, Angel, Dalston, Victoria Park, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Poplar and Isle of Dogs.
• South of the Thames: Putney, Wandsworth, Battersea, Clapham, Brixton, Stockwell, Kennington, Walworth and Bermondsey.

The following boroughs are partly or fully covered: Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Camden, Islington, the City, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth.

But despite calls from other Londoners, the scheme has yet to expand into many areas close to central London, including central and north Islington.{{cite web|url=http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/call_for_boris_bikes_to_be_extended_to_upper_street_1_892435|title=Call for Boris Bikes to be extended to Upper Street|date=12 May 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/plea_for_boris_bikes_to_be_wheeled_out_across_islington_1_1454024|title=Plea for 'Boris Bikes'|work=Islington Gazette |date=21 July 2012}} Coverage is noticeably poor in south-east London, an area that has a limited overall Tube network.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/travel/downloads/tube_map.html|title=BBC - London - Travel - London Underground Map|website=www.bbc.co.uk}} Coverage is exceptionally poor in Outer London, where the scheme is almost non-existent, even in areas adjacent to inner London districts and despite the majority of Londoners living there. In some cases, planned expansion has been delayed by Londoners who support the London Cycle Hire Scheme in principle, but dislike the idea of having a docking station on their street, or losing car parking spaces to make room for docking stations.{{cite web|url=http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/10345931.Boris_bikes_in_the_dock__TfL_lays_cables_without_planning_permission/|title=Residents from Wandsworth complain about Docking Station being installed on their street|date=11 April 2013 }}

Many Londoners are keen to see the system expand, with lobbying from Greenwich,{{cite web |title=LET'S BRING BORIS BIKES TO GREENWICH |date=22 February 2016 |url=http://www.greenwichconservatives.com/petition/1777 |publisher=greenwichconservatives.com |access-date=26 March 2016}} Southwark,{{Cite news|url=http://www.southwark-libdems.org.uk/hopes_for_cycle_hire_scheme_expansion_in_southwark_diminished|title=Hopes for cycle hire scheme expansion in Southwark diminished|work=2018 Site|access-date=26 August 2018}} Hackney and Richmond,{{Cite news|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/london-cycle-hire-scheme-expanded-cover-capital-301911|title=Could the London cycle hire scheme be expanded to cover more of the capital? - Cycling Weekly|date=25 November 2016|work=Cycling Weekly|access-date=26 August 2018|language=en-US}} but funding is a challenge, owing to the high cost of the docking stations and the cost of the bikes.{{cite web |title=Will Cycle Hire Ever Come To Greenwich? |date=29 November 2015 |url=https://londonist.com/2015/11/cycle-hire-greenwich |publisher=londonist.com |access-date=26 March 2016}} The London Boroughs and TfL work with developers of major developments to secure funding for future cycle hire stations.{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/urban-planning-and-construction/transport-assessment-guide/guidance-by-transport-type/cycling|title=Urban planning and construction / Cycling guidance |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=26 August 2018}}

File:Santander Cycles docking station in Southwark during November 2015.jpg

Docking stations consist of a terminal and docking points where users pick up and return cycles. The terminal at each docking station contains a screen allowing users to:

• Hire a cycle with a chip and PIN payment card if the user does not have a key;
• Print a record of their journey;
• Find other nearby docking stations, necessary if one is full when returning or empty when seeking a cycle;
• Get extra time without charge to return the cycle to another docking station if one is full; and
• See a local street map, scheme costs, the code of conduct, and information in other languages.

If there is a fault with a cycle that was rented, it can be docked at the nearest station and the red 'fault' button on the docking point pressed within ten seconds; another bike can then be taken at no extra cost.

File:Barclays Cycle Hire terminal screen.jpg

During high load hours the bikes are moved from the busiest stations to the emptiest using trailers pulled by Alkè ATX280E electric vehicles with zero {{co2}} emissions,{{cite web |url=https://www.sourcelondon.net/barclays-cycle-hire-and-serco-0 |title=Barclays Cycle Hire and Serco | Source London |access-date=22 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218082057/http://www.sourcelondon.net/barclays-cycle-hire-and-serco-0 |archive-date=18 December 2010 }} and Ford Transit vans with specially designed tail ramps. There are a number of mobile phone apps to help users find the nearest station.

The platform behind the bike share system was created by 8D Technologies,"Cycle hire re-let (memo)". TFL. http://content.tfl.gov.uk/board-20160719-item11-part1-cycle-hire-relet.pdf, published 19 July 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016 who also supply the server technology for BIXI Montréal, Citi Bike in New York City, Capital Bikeshare in Washington DC, Melbourne Bike Share in Australia, and others.

The Bixi technology was replaced in mid-2017 for TfL under the new contract with Serco, and now makes use of AI and big data to improve bicycle availability and maintenance. The new technology is a AWS hosted service and uses a combination of technologies including AWS, Opensource, IBM and Oracle.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibm.com/blogs/journey-to-ai/2020/06/why-decisionbrain-is-taking-notice-of-ibm-watson-studio-premium-for-cloud-pak-for-data/|title = The journey to AI: Keeping London's cycle hire scheme on the move| website=IBM |date = 23 June 2020}}

In the first three months of the scheme, 95 percent of journeys did not exceed half an hour, earning TfL access fees but no usage fees.{{cite news|author1=Quilty-Harper, Conrad |author2=Payne, Sebastian |name-list-style=amp |title=London bicycle hire scheme in uphill struggle to make money|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8245610/London-bicycle-hire-scheme-in-uphill-struggle-to-make-money.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=7 January 2011| url-access = subscription}} The scheme generated £323,545 in revenue for usage in the first 96{{nbsp}}days. Only 72,700 of the first 1.4 million journeys earned any revenue, with 44% of income coming from users charged the £150 (US$252) "late return" fees. With an average £3,370 income per day from journeys, the scheme needed to grow substantially over the following five years to meet its cost. In this early period there was a steady growth in the number of bike journeys. It was expected that when casual use was introduced it would become the bigger revenue generator. Access fees were doubled in January 2013,{{cite web |title=Barclays Cycle Hire scheme charges double in 2013 |date=7 November 2012 |url=http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/news/article/barclays-cycle-hire-scheme-charges-double-in-2013-35712/}} which was expected to bring in an extra £4-6M annually.{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/motorists-and-cyclists-to-pay-tfl-an-additional-12m-every-year/201325182|title=Motorists and cyclists to pay TfL an additional £12m every year|date=3 May 2013}} User satisfaction level dropped after the increase.{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/boris-bikes-satisfaction-levels-fall-after-price-hike/201324970|title=Boris Bikes satisfaction levels fall after price hike|date=17 April 2013}}

In May 2012 (before access charges doubled in 2013), TfL estimated that the scheme would cost taxpayers £225M by 2015/16, almost five times the maximum due from Barclays.{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/exclusive-tfl-reveals-how-much-barclays-has-paid-for-cycle-hire-scheme/201223704|title=Exclusive: TfL reveals how much Barclays has paid for Cycle Hire scheme|date=19 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/tfl-we-have-no-idea-when-boriss-cycle-hire-scheme-will-be-self-funding/201222480|title=TfL: We don't know when Boris's Cycle Hire scheme will be self-funding|date=15 August 2012}}

TfL funded a net £3.6M to the scheme in the 2016/17 period during which around 10{{nbsp}}million bikes were hired, this equates to 16.9% of the scheme's operating costs being funded by subsidy{{cite web|url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/santander-cycles-transparency-to-end-of-september-2017.pdf|title=Santander Cycles - Frequently requested statistics|date=September 2017|website=Transport for London}} this is on par with TfL's operating costs as a whole, which are 16.1% funded by subsidy (including the congestion charge as subsidy).{{cite web|url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/tfl-mayors-budget-2017-18.pdf|title= TfL Mayor's Budget 2017/18 - GLA Consultation Extracts December 2016|website=Transport for London}}

The scheme debuted with great fanfare, with more than 90,000 users registering one million cycle rides being taken in the first ten weeks of operation.{{Cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/oct/11/in-praise-of-boris-bikes | work=The Guardian | title=In praise of ... Boris's bikes | date=11 October 2010 |access-date=22 April 2011 | location=London}} The millionth journey rider was awarded free membership to the scheme for five years for him and three friends.{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Appleton |url=http://road.cc/content/news/26240-millionth-boris-bike-journey-rider-identified |title=Millionth Boris bike journey rider identified |work=road.cc |date=27 October 2010 |access-date=23 February 2011}}

In particular, the scheme was criticised for allowing riders to have unlimited use by docking the bike every 30{{nbsp}}minutes at a station (the first 30{{nbsp}}minutes' use are free) resulting in a dependence upon late fees and penalties to make up revenues.TimeOut London, The London Cycle Hire Scheme (2011) Other users complained of computer issues, erroneous charges, and problems with docking stations.Cridland, James, [http://james.cridland.net/blog/a-message-to-barclays-cycle-hire/ A message to Barclays Cycle Hire] 9 February 2011London Cycle Hire: good, but not great, Tomroyal.com, 30 August 2010Radnedge, Aidan: Transport for London reported in June 2011 that thousands of BCH users had been sent erroneous billings.Macmichael, Simon, [http://road.cc/content/news/23520-hidden-charges-boris-bike-user-hit-%C2%A3900-charge-free-journeys%E2%80%A6%C2%A0-hes-still-fan/ Hidden charges - Boris bike user hit with £900 charge for "free" journeys...but he's still a fan], Road.cc, Farrelly Atkinson Ltd., 13 September 2010 The system requires the cyclist to find docking stations close to the points of departure and destination, lacking one of the key advantages of the bicycle in an urban setting.{{cite news | first1 = May | last1 = James | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/8077868/Cycling-proficiency-with-James-May.html#dsq-content | title = Cycling Proficiency with James May |work = The Daily Telegraph | date = 21 October 2010| url-access = subscription}} The system also does not enable transport to the suburbs; as TfL says, it is "best for short journeys".{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/15150.aspx |title=How it works |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=23 February 2011}} Some users also found the bikes too heavy and unwieldy, at {{convert|23|kg|lb}}.

In June 2011, TfL issued a "critical improvement plan" to the contractor, Serco, demanding immediate improvements in service, and in a comment to the press a TfL spokesman stated that "the service it (Serco) has provided for our Barclays Cycle Hire users has not reached the consistently high standards we expect," adding "We expect to see immediate improvements." Serco has in turn admitted that "some aspects of the service still need to be improved."{{cite news|title=London cycle hire operator Serco penalised £5m|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13687991|access-date=19 March 2018|work=BBC News|date=7 June 2011}}

Redistribution of bikes has also been hindered by the refusal of the councils of Westminster and of Kensington & Chelsea to allow Serco to move bikes around their boroughs at night, between the hours of 22:00 and 08:00, creating significant challenges in meeting morning peak demand.{{Cite news|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/barclays_bicycle_redistribution|title=Barclays Bicycle Redistribution - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London|date=16 April 2012|work=WhatDoTheyKnow|access-date=28 August 2017|language=en}}

At the time of launch, anti-arms-trade campaigners protested against Barclays' involvement in the scheme and attached stickers to the bikes highlighting the bank's investment in the arms trade.{{cite web|url=http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/07/456388.html|title=Anti Arms Trade Activists sticker Barclays Bikes - UK Indymedia|website=www.indymedia.org.uk}}{{cite web|url=http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/08/457086.html|title=PFI Turns Into Ongoing PR Disaster for Barclays - UK Indymedia|website=www.indymedia.org.uk}}

The scheme and those who delivered it achieved recognition from a wide cross-section of industries impacted by the project. A total of 15 awards were received within a year of launch{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} recognising not just the impact on transport in London but also the innovative design, the public relations exercise and the challenging delivery timescales. Those awards included "Best Facility" from the London Cycling Campaign,{{cite web|url=http://lcc.org.uk/articles/london-cycling-award-winners-show-off-best-practice-in-the-capital|title=London Cycling Award winners show off best-practice in the capital|website=lcc.org.uk}} and an Infrastructure award from the Institution of Civil Engineers.{{cite web |url=http://www.ice.org.uk/News-Public-Affairs/ICE-News/ICE-London-Awards--Civil-engineers-reveal-top-Lond |title=ICE London Awards: Civil engineers reveal top London projects of 2011 - Institution of Civil Engineers |access-date=22 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010162755/http://www.ice.org.uk/News-Public-Affairs/ICE-News/ICE-London-Awards--Civil-engineers-reveal-top-Lond |archive-date=10 October 2013 }}

File:BCS Alkè ATX280E.JPG ATX280E electric utility vehicle, used to redistribute bicycles]]

According to TfL, in the first six months of operation two-thirds of the fleet of London's Cycle Hire scheme fleet required repair.Sutton, Mark, (2011), [https://bikebiz.com/london-bike-hire-faring-better-than-paris-scheme-for-write-offs/amp/ London bike hire faring better than Paris scheme for write offs] Bike Biz Magazine, 22 February 2011 Serco, the company contractor for bicycle operations, was repairing more than 30 bikes a day as of February 2011, and at any one time around 200 of the 5,400 strong fleet were off the road for maintenance. By February 2011, three bikes had been damaged beyond repair while in service, and ten bicycles had been stolen. Six docking stations had been hit and damaged by motor vehicles and six had been vandalised.

{{Missing information|section|change of price scheme and end of free rides|date=January 2023}}

The pay as you go charge is £1.65 per every 30{{nbsp}}minutes or part thereof for each bike hired. This can be paid on an app or at a street terminal alongside the bike docking stations.

Other ways to pay are through a monthly membership fee of £20 or an annual fee of £120, which both give unlimited 60-minute rides.

Bicycles must be returned within 24 hours. Failure to return a bicycle or damaging one can incur a charge of up to £300.

E-bikes fees are set differently and require prior registration, which can be completed online.

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