The Santander Cycles scheme is being expanded after seeing “unprecedented demand” last month as Londoners sought new ways to get to work and the shops.
Data published by Transport for London shows last month was the best May in the scheme’s 10 year history, with 1,120,620 hires across the month, the highest ever number of hires in a single week (362,925) and the highest ever number of hires in a weekend (132,979).
In addition, the free Santander Cycles hire scheme for NHS staff has seen 30,000 journeys made since launching in March.
Eight new docking stations will be added this summer with a further six added by the end of the year. In addition, TfL is making an extra 1,700 bikes available, bringing the total to more than 14,000.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted by the unprecedented demand for cycling over the past few months.
We’ve seen three times the number of people cycling in some parts of our city compared to before the crisis, huge demand for our free cycle hire scheme for NHS staff and carers, and multiple Santander Cycles records being broken.
“By adding new docking stations, cycle hire hubs and bikes we are making it even more convenient to take to two wheels.
Dan Sherwood, Marketing Director at Santander UK, added: “Breaking records with the best May in London’s cycle hire scheme’s 10 year history with over a million hires is incredible, but we’re even more delighted that so many critical and key workers have benefitted from the free cycle hire scheme during this challenging time.
“We hope expansion plans will ensure more local communities than ever can benefit from such a great scheme.”
