500 new e-bikes available to use in London next month

500 new e-bikes will be available to use in London from this September, says Transport for London (TfL).

TfL says the e-bikes, available from September 12, will be distributed across key central London locations, and will be dockable at any of the scheme’s 800 docking stations across London.

The electric bicycles will cost £3.30 per 30-minute ride, or an additional fare of £1 per 60 minutes for monthly and annual Santander Cycles members.

The e-bike launch coincides with the announcement that renting all Santander Cycles will be changed to a new flat rate of £1.65 per 30-minute ride, to match London bus fares.

There will also be a new £20 monthly membership option, which will permit unlimited 60-minute rides; the price of an annual membership will increase to £120 to reflect inflation.

The introduction of e-bikes is part of a three-year, £18.75m extension of Santander’s sponsorship that was announced last year.

City Hall said e-bikes would make cycling easier for people who struggle with their fitness, age or the length of their journey.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I am delighted to be launching our first ever e-bikes for hire.

“Another first for London hot on the heels of another record-breaking month for Santander Cycles, which saw an incredible 1.3m journeys in July.

“It will be great to see these new e-bikes on London’s streets soon.

“I’m determined to continue building a cleaner, greener London for everyone and this includes making cycling as accessible as possible.

“The new Santander Cycles e-bikes will play an important role in helping to break down some of the barriers that stop people from getting on a bike, including fitness, age and length of journey.”

David Eddington, TfL’s head of cycle hire, said: “Santander Cycles is a vital part of London’s transport system and is more popular than ever, with the scheme seeing 11 record-breaking months in a row.

“We want to make sure that the scheme continues to be one of the easiest and most sustainable ways of travelling in the capital.

“The new bikes, alongside our simpler new tariff, will ensure that the scheme can build on this success and be financially sustainable, playing a full role in a green and healthy future for London.”

TfL has also announced new docking stations across Southwark to open later this year at Burgess Park Albany Road, South Bermondsey station, Clements Road, Harris Academy, Brandon Street, Crimscott Street and The Blue. They will be built with funding from Southwark Council.

The scheme will be temporarily closed between 10pm on Friday September 9 and 6am on Monday September 12 to allow systems to be upgraded in preparation for the changes.