London Cycle Hire Scheme

London's cycle hire scheme offers 10,000 specially designed bikes that can be hired from over 700 docking stations across the city. After an initial fee, the first half-hour is free. Charges then start at £2 for up to an hour, going up to a maximum usage fee of £50 for 24 hours. However, as there are so many docking stations from which you can pick up your bike, then drop it off once your journey is over, the scheme is more suited to shorter commuting, sightseeing and getting around town journeys. There are maps at each docking station to help riders pinpoint their location and continue with their journeys. If you sign up as a London Cycle Hire Scheme member (from £2 for 24-hour to £90 for annual membership), you get a key (£3), which gives easier access to the bikes. The Transport for London website has a journey planner tool which suggests routes for your specified destinations. Santander Cycles accepts all major credit or debit cards but does not accept cash or oyster cards.