A great way to get around London

Cycling in London can be intimidating at first, but it can also be a cost-effective way to ride around the city and see the sights (while getting some exercise!).

This article walks through the user experience of different ride-share schemes, with some safety advice and considerations for cycling around London. 

Santander Cycles, often called "Boris Bikes," are the red docking bikes you commonly see around the city. The docking stations are conveniently located just outside Bankside Hall and on campus, and it is by far the most affordable cycle share scheme. Highly recommended if you want to try out cycling without having to invest in a bike or more expensive app!

Pricing:

• Currently £20/mo. It renews monthly, but you opt in to the renewal each time so you don't need to worry about subscribing and forgetting to cancel
• Student discount, but it is only available annually so think about how long you'll be in town and if you are someone who is happy to ride through cold/rainy winter months
• You can choose to rent an ebike for an extra fee each time you ride

Usability:

• Slow and clunky - get your exercise in!
• Great availability of stands around campus and Bankside, throughout central London
• BUT - need to plan ahead! They gather the bikes off the docks around 10-11am on campus, but they still may be full by the time you arrive if you don't plan ahead which requires you to go further away to park
• You can contact them to request a physical key that lets you unlock them easily without going through the app each time

Best for: cost-savings, intro to cycling around the city, planning ahead for docking stations

A great option is the Forest bikes, you will see them around the city as the forest-green or the bright blue "river" bikes. 

Pricing:

• Per ride, it costs £1 to unlock the bike, and then ~£0.30/min during the ride. The first 10min per day are free for all users. If you park the bike in a preferred zone as shown in the app, they will give you free minutes. You can also earn 3 free minutes a day by watching ads. 
• Subscription, currently £45/mo (as at February 2024), but increasing to £60/mo in April 2024
• No student discount on the monthly subscription cost as at time of writing, but they do offer a 20% student discount on the cost-per-minute for paid rides

Usability:

• Fast and easy to access, they are generally fairly well maintained and widely available
• You can park many places, but check your destination to see if you are able to park anywhere or if you are required to park in specific zones. Certain areas of the city, particularly Camden, require parking only in preferred areas so this can involve a bit of extra walking  
• Helpful customer service who answer immediately through calling or chat, in case you have an issue with a bike in a non-parking zone or want a refund from unlocking a bike that is in disrepair 
• At the higher price of the monthly subscription, you could buy your own bicycle for the same price of a few months. However, using the Forest bikes you don't need to worry about theft, and you can also leave the bike anywhere if the weather becomes too rainy or cold to ride home

Best for: a quick ride to campus if you're running late (using the free 10min), and a subscription for frequent users who don't want to purchase their own bicycle and can afford the monthly fee

There are other options including Lime and Tier, so feel free to research other options. In my experience, other ride share options are more expensive, but it can be difficult to compare costs because some offer minute bundles while others charge by month. Ultimately, your best option is whatever works in your budget and preference for travelling around the city. 

Safety is ESSENTIAL when cycling around a busy city like London. There are a good number of protected bike lanes, but there will be occasions when you must share the road with drivers.

• Wear a helmet: this is absolutely essential and can be life-saving. When I use ride-share bikes, I clip my helmet and high-vis vest to my backpack when not in use
• Wear high-vis gear, like neon vests, helmets, jackets, and gloves. It helps drivers see you in the chaotic streets, especially in dark winter months and rainy days
• Watch out for pedestrians: assume that drivers and pedestrians alike will swerve into your lane / step out into the road at any moment, and do not rely on signals without checking that the way is clear and the cars have stopped 
• If unsure of the road rules, try walking your route a few times first to observe how cyclists navigate the roads and where you will need to turn. Do your first bicycle trip during the day for the best experience.

Have a great time out there!