Although originally conceived through London’s first mayor, Ken Livingstone, London’s motorcycle rental program brought the second, Boris Johnson, so they are still known as Boris Bikes.
If that bothers you, you can call them Sadiq Cycles, after the mayor, Sadiq Kahn.
To be exact, lately it is Santander Cycles, after Santander, the sponsor. Previously, they were officially Barclays bikes.
After 10 years, the formula has accumulated 94 million contracts, with more than 12,000 cycles among the 781 host stations of the capital. They’re easy to use, but here are my tips, earned after a decade of driving.
1. How to get your bike
It’s quite simple, just use your credit card at any docking station. Tap the screen and decide to hire a cycle. Once you have paid, take the published unlock code and enter the code on the anchor of a motorcycle. Or create an account in the Santander Cycles app on your Android or iPhone.
Each motorcycle costs 2 euros for unlimited trips of up to 30 minutes over a 24-hour period. If an adventure lasts longer than 30 minutes, you’ll pay another 2 pounds per hour. Be sure to tie it tightly afterwards, as your adventure is alive until you do. The green flashes gently at the anchor point to let you know it’s securely connected.
Long-term users can invest in a key that he inserts into the dock to release a bike. It is 2 euros depending on the day or 90 euros depending on the year.
Most things are simple with motorcycles, however, since the dock can be a struggle. This is the simplest way and it does it with one hand. Once you have unlocked the base, lift the motorcycle only by the saddle and drop it. The motorcycle will bounce and exit the lock effortlessly. If you ever see the guys at Santander Cycles, the bikes, that’s how they do it.
Transport for London (TfL) publishes data on the availability of bicycles and docking stations. It is shared with apps such as Apple Maps, Santander Cycles and, moreover, Citymapper.
Type your destination in Citymapper and the Cycles Santander tab. This will show you where you want to go, how many motorcycles or mooring spaces will be waiting for you.
As a general rule, since things can be temporarily replenished in 3 minutes, if there are two docking stations nearby and one has 1 motorcycle and the other 5, I will decide which one has the maximum of motorcycles. Similarly, when the destination docks are full to the fullest, it’s worth noting where others are nearby in case things are replaced at the end of your trip.
6. Bicycles are heavy
Oh, they really are. If you think the 30-minute limit is low, don’t worry, you may not need to drive a motorcycle any longer. This is not a featherweight runner.
On the other hand, London drivers know that most of the time these motorcycles are driven by tourists who do not know where they are on the ground, so they tend to leave enough room for Boris Bikers.
Still, watch out: it’s London.
7. There are many docking stations
Seasons are mooring problems for a dozen cycles, more than a hundred. There are many docking stations, however, motorcycles are intentionally built without locks, so, as mentioned, you must put them back in place at the end of your journey. Some other motorcycle rental systems allow you to leave the motorcycle anywhere you want. This may be convenient.
But the merit of the coupling formula is that you know where you can locate motorcycles: they are not randomly placed anywhere.
8. Why rents are good
9. Which motorcycle do you choose?
There are two versions of Boris Bikes. The original has giant circular handlebars. These are smart, but I prefer newer mangoes that are smaller and less fluffy.
I’ll scan the whole pier for the new handles and settle for the older ones if I have to.
The other design replaces the saddle launch. The original is a release mechanism that opens sideways to allow you to adjust the saddle height.
New models have a less difficult vertical configuration. The other design replaces the saddle launch. The original is a release mechanism that opens sideways to allow you to adjust the saddle height.
Changing the height of the saddle is the difference between a satisfied and depressing journey.
The saddle stem has numbers engraved on it (on the left of the stem on original bikes, on the right on newer ones). It’s worth learning your ideal setting and memorizing the number. Set this before you release the bike from the dock.
10. Have fun
Riding in London is glorious. There are more motorcycle trails than ever before, cycling is the easiest way to keep a social distance and, on a sunny day in Britain, the feeling of the gentle breeze is wonderful. Follow the rules, don’t forget that trucks can’t see it and treat pedestrians with respect. You’ll be one of them in less than an hour.
Follow me on Instagram by clicking here: davidphelantech and Twitter: ‘davidphelan2009’
I’ve been writing about the generation for two decades and I’m surprised at how the industry is moving from unexpected innovation to persistent repetition. My spaces