Santander Cycles - Any good?

Wyndham

I'm going to be doing some work in London, and have been looking at Santander cycles. I'm interested in using one to get me from a main line station to my employer in central London. This won't be every day, so very much on an ad hoc basis, maybe a couple of times a month.

Has anyone used them? If so what are they like? Do you always find one where you want to? Are they in good condition? Any tips or advice?

Also, what's it like to cycle in London. I'm experienced in other places, but London feels like it may have it's hairy moments? Is that fair?

[Deleted User]

I have used them (when they were the old branding) and they're easy enough to use, the app tells you where the docks have them and where to drop off so you can plan the journey. Always check the bike first before releasing (e.g. for punctures). If you are a rider comfortable with using bike lanes and the odd bit of road and can bring your own helmet, they're perfectly fine to get around, they only have 3 gears so an experienced cyclist will be able to spin out in all of them but a casual bike rider would have no issues.

In theory if you return a bike and it's faulty, you should report it, can't remember how, so someone will come and maintain it and it won't be released for someone else.

Just make sure you can do the journey in good time, they start charging more when you're taking it for longer than the short trip distance

martindow

Like Farfetch my experience is not too recent and there have been some changes to the system since then.  Here are the latest charges

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/what-you-pay?intcmp=2315

When I used it you paid £2 for a day and could make unlimited trips of up to 30 minutes.  Now it is £1.65 for each 30 minute hire and they are pushing monthly membership.  This is a bargain if you use them regularly but no help for occasional journeys.

The bikes are very heavy and low geared but I like riding them.  Using the app lets you see where there are bikes available and spaces to drop them off.  TfL shift them around a bit but you can still find empty and completely full docking stations.

double_dutchy

Getting a bike from a Mainline station in morning rush hour can be problematic, so many other people are trying to do the same, but they do have large numbers of bikes at Waterloo, for example, and try to move bikes around so they are in the right places at the right times.

There are a large number of docking stations in Central London, so if you are willing to walk a little bit you can often find bikes (or spaces) available just down the road.

The convention is to turn round the saddle on any faulty bike, so don't take one of those! If you do get a dodgy bike you can always dock it in and take another a short time after, although that will now cost you.

The bikes are clunky but fine for cycling a few miles, I recommend it, although it's probably best to avoid main roads and stick to cycle paths and back streets - there are also some canal rides you can do, e.g. the Regents Canal takes you all the way from Limehouse to Paddington, with an option to carry on up the Grand Union.

jon81uk

double_dutchy said:

The convention is to turn round the saddle on any faulty bike, so don't take one of those! If you do get a dodgy bike you can always dock it in and take another a short time after, although that will now cost you.

No, if you push the fault button you can get a new cycle for free.

double_dutchy

jon81uk said:

No, if you push the fault button you can get a new cycle for free.

Thanks @jon81uk, I didn't know that

Nofinway

I used a Lime Bike when there was the tube strike in the summer. Absolutely brilliant and some electric assistance too so didn't turn up hot and sweaty.
May never use the tube again!

MSE_James

The Santander Cycles scheme now includes a small number of e-bikes (for a small extra charge) - these are very smooth to ride and cut a bit of time off my regular trips. 

Cycling in central London has been revolutionised in the past decade - especially if you can use one of the major cycle routes like Cycleway 3 (west-east) or Cycleway 6 (north-south) for all or part of your journey.

It's not perfect yet but many junctions have been improved beyond recognition.

jon81uk

double_dutchy said:

jon81uk said:

No, if you push the fault button you can get a new cycle for free.

Thanks @jon81uk, I didn't know that

There is more information here Lost, stolen or faulty - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)

MilesT6060842

I use the Santander cycles for occasional commuting--they are heavy and the front luggage rack is not very big, but can be quicker than tube/bus and certainly cheaper than tube.   I have annual season pass with keyfob so it is very convenient, although sometimes my local dock on the edge of the network runs out (need to walk a bit) or my usual arrival dock is full (again need to walk a bit).

Also not available very late at night (got caught out on a tube strike day post midnight).

There are some areas and times where the road traffic is too busy to be comfortable (and limited back street possibilities), do some map research first.