Micro-Mobility: Cycles and Scooters

London’s increasing focus on sustainable and active travel makes shared micro-mobility services a fast and flexible way to cover short-to-medium distances, particularly in the central Zones 1-2.

A. Bicycle Hire: Santander Cycles (“Boris Bikes”)

The official bike-sharing scheme is easily recognisable and widely available across Central London.

  • How it Works: The scheme uses official docking stations scattered across the city centre, often near Tube stations and major landmarks.
  • The Bikes: They are robust, traditional pedal bicycles (not electric), heavy, and built for short city rides.
  • Cost Structure:
    • Access Fee: You pay a fixed fee (e.g., £2 or £3) to access the bikes for 24 hours.
    • Usage Fee: The first 30 minutes of every single ride are included in the access fee. If your journey exceeds 30 minutes, you incur an additional charge (usually £2 per extra 30 minutes).
  • Tip for Tourists: To keep costs low, plan your journey to be under 30 minutes, then dock the bike and immediately hire a new one for your next leg. This resets the timer and avoids extra charges.
  • Payment: You can pay directly at the docking station terminal using a contactless card, or via the official Santander Cycles app.

B. E-Scooter Rental: The Trial Scheme

While privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads and pavements in the UK, London is running a sanctioned trial for rental e-scooters in specific areas.

  • The Scheme: The only legal way to ride an e-scooter in a public place (road or cycle lane) in London is by hiring one from one of the three authorised operators:
    • Dott
    • Lime
    • Tier
  • Areas of Operation: The trial currently covers many central boroughs (e.g., Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Westminster, etc.). E-scooters are geo-fenced, meaning they will slow down and eventually stop if you try to take them outside the approved areas.
  • How to Hire:
    1. Download the app of one of the operators (Dott, Lime, or Tier).
    2. Find an available scooter on the map and scan the QR code to unlock it.
    3. You must have a valid driving licence (Provisional or Full) to hire one.
  • Rules and Safety:
    • They are prohibited on pavements and footways and must be ridden on roads or in mandatory cycle lanes.
    • Riders must be 18 or over and hold a driving licence.
  • Cost: Typically an unlock fee (e.g., £1) plus a per-minute rate (e.g., £0.15 – £0.20 per minute).