The London Cycle Hire Scheme

This is an archived page.

Find out where you can grab one of 'Boris's bikes', and how it all works

View London Cycle Hire docking station locations in a larger map

Disclaimer: While this map includes the vast majority of docking stations TfL will be adding new ones, and some sites are currently yet to be confirmed. We will keep it updated as new information comes in.

London Cycle Hire Scheme FAQs

What's the deal with the scheme? The Cycle Hire Scheme officially rolled out on July 30, 2010. The bikes are available to anyone over 14 who can ride a bicycle without assistance (you won’t need to carry your cycling proficiency certificate around with you). The bikes will be available around the clock and come with dynamo lights for riding at night. They don’t come with large baskets, helmets or locks, however.

How do I get pedalling?If you want to travel on a Boris bike you no longer have to be a member - all you need is a credit or debit card.

How do I become a registered member?To become a registered member go to www.tfl.gov.uk. Registered members pay £3 for a membership key and then an access fee - daily (£1), weekly (£5) or annual (£45 - members only). Additionally they pay the usage charge for the time they have the bike (see costs).

So how does the casual user option work?The pay-as-you-pedal option will be available from December 3, which allows you to just pay the access fee and usage charge. Once it’s up and running, you’ll be able to purchase access either online, by phone or at a docking station. A day’s access will cost £1 and a week’s will be £5. After you cough up, you’ll be given a keycode which will unlock the bikes.

See a comparison of membership and casual use

How much does it cost? Once you’ve paid your access fee, a 30-minute ride is free: keep docking the bike and there’s no limit to how many trips you can take in a day. Otherwise, it’s £1 for an hour, rising to £50 for the maximum hire period of 24 hours. Hang on to the bike for longer and you may face a £150 fine; if you don’t return it, it’s £300. (Fees are charged to riders’ membership accounts or, for pay-as-you-go, the card used to pay the access fee.)

How do I find a bike?By the end of the summer, 6,000 bikes will be available at 400 docking stations around central London (roughly Zone 1 on a tube map). If the rack’s empty, the docking station will direct you to the nearest available bike. Pop your keycard or access code into the lock, and off you go.

How do I return the bike? Find an empty space at any docking station and park your bike. With 10,200 spaces for 6,000 bikes, it’s unlikely your station will be full. If it is, though, go to the terminal and you’ll be given an extra 15 minutes to get to another station. (The terminal will show you where to find the nearest free space.)

What if something goes wrong with the bike?If you get a puncture or your bike needs some TLC, take it to the nearest dock and press the fault report button. The bike will then be locked until it’s repaired. Don’t worry about getting stranded, though – you can take a replacement.

What if it’s stolen or I have an accident?While wear and tear (such as a puncture) won’t be charged, fees will be incurred if there is evidence that a bike has been wilfully damaged. If a bike is lost or stolen while you’re using it, you’ll be liable for the non-return fee (£300), although each case will be looked at individually.

Are the instructions available in anything other than English?TfL are currently (Nov 2010) translating the instructions at docking stations into five different languages, which will rise to 15 by the end of 2011.

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While I think it this scheme fill an important gap I am not too happy with some things. It seems quite pricey, for a start. And what about security? No locks? No helmets? In a city like London, with yawning potholes and racing minicabs, this raises serious security issues for inexperienced cyclists. All I can hope is, that it convinces more people to get their own bike and start using it. With a helmet, that is.

David Fri Aug 6 2010
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STAY AWAY from this. There is no service, you order 3 keys, then use only one bike but get charged for 3! that's INSANE.. promising but really not ready yet. -> impossible to reach on the phone, the person you talk to tell you she can't help -> on the website when you click on submit the complaint the website crashes and tell you to call them...what a joke!! Wait another 3 months maybe.

steve Thu Aug 5 2010
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STAY AWAY from this. There is no service, you order 3 keys, then use only one bike but get charged for 3! that's INSANE.. promising but really not ready yet. -> impossible to reach on the phone, the person you talk to tell you she can't help -> on the website when you click on submit the complaint the website crashes and tell you to call them...what a joke!! Wait another 3 months maybe.

steve Thu Aug 5 2010
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I think the scheme is brilliant BUT the scheme is misrepresenting the costs. All the publicity says £45 per year plus £3 per key for up to four keys but they charged me £96 for two keys and now they have changed the website. But all the printed publicity and parts of the website clearly say "£45 per year plus £3 per key". I am waiting for a call back from TFL as the operator was unable to deal with my query....I am not holding my breath

Bryan Raven Thu Aug 5 2010
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I've just received this week's T.O.and am dismayed to see so much space in the letters page devoted to the misinformed ramblings of dullards. Maunder and your oh so vulnerable pedestrian (in every sense of the word) mates - just keep your eyes open and stop wandering into the middle of the road without looking, scooter boy, thanks for reminding me there is a more despised class of road user than cyclists, and those who think it is too expensive/in the wrong place/corporate whoredom etc. try engaging your brain and working out why it has been done how it has been before BLEATING. I have foiund it brilliant! Have joined up the annoying gap between Liverpool Street and London Bridge a couple times, I've escaped late evening bus gridlick in the West end and docked at the point beyond which the buses run freely again and I've picked up a nice bit of lunch from the delicious Vietnamese cafe that is just a bit too far to get to and from by foot from the office. The only criticism is that they are geared a bit low so you can't really get much speed up but maybe that's just a sop to those quivering on the sidelines, horrified at the (rather sedate) rise of the cycles!

MattB Thu Aug 5 2010
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I used the BIXI bike scheme they have in Montreal, when I was there a few weeks ago and it was fabulous!!! Highigh of my trip was being able to bike whenever and wherever for a small price, especially as it was very hot this was much nicer than walking. They do have big wide streets and dedicated up and down lanes for bixi's - would be fab if we had this space in London but we dont! Ive signed up but am a bit apprehensive to use the bikes as I am not a brilliant cyclist and busy roads scare me! I will use it for riding to Parks and local non main roads. The priciple idea is fabulous it's just the safety issue most people are concerned about - Boris needs to concentrate on this aspect - as otherwise the scheme might not take off in the way it has been able to in other countries and that would be a HUGE shame. London is a lovely city and even nicer when you're not surrounded by traffic and fumes! :) oh and its NOT £50 compulsary ... I have paid only £5 ior so to start the membership so Streetcar is NOT cheaper... streetcar is also not good for everyone !

kate Wed Aug 4 2010
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very very UNHAPPY with it so far. 1) the BCH person told me I could have 2 keys on one membership, when I went online and orderer one year membership (£45) + one key, I was charged £90, what's the point then? 2) I ordered 2 keys (£1 credit only for now), I received my welcome pack with only 1 key, on my account it says I have 2, so rung them, they couldn't help so I am waiting for them to call back. Basically my weekend with my girlfriend will be spent walking I guess.. 3) now I can't seem to upgrade to £45 for the key I want to use (not the spare one). I think they did a good job at having the bikes ready on time, but their service is absolutely horrible. I would advise to wait another 3 months before signing up.

Pierre Wed Aug 4 2010
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This scheme is following closely the French scheme which I find brilliant. It is not a bycicly rental service, but a free quick mobility service. 1/2 free promotes quick travel to most places at a "reasonable" distance. An increasing price by time (and not reducing as common sense would indicate) demotes people from taking the bike for long... leaving them for other people to use. If you want a bike to visit London, this is not it! To have a bike for a whole day(or longer), other companies must already provide that service. Congrats for the initiative!

Daniel Sobral Mon Aug 2 2010
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sally you miss the point. It's supposed to be for quick, free trips. They're not being greedy, they're trying to make you share. If you take a bike for a day, then nobody else can use that bike. The way it's structured, 1 bike can serve hundreds of people making quick trips around the city. Plus if you need a bike for a day, just keep stopping and swapping every half hour. If I take the tube/bus to work it'll cost me £2-£5/day. If I take a bike it's £1/day, may be faster than tube/bus, and gives me some exercise. Brilliant! If you want to keep the same bike for a whole day (remembering you also need to carry a chain and lock it whenever you stop), then there's plenty of other bike hire places that are designed for that type of service - and I imagine you'd have to get there early on popular days or all the bikes would be gone already.

Nato Mon Aug 2 2010
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Those of you complaining about the £50 fee - are you really planning on riding the bike for 24hours without stopping?! More fool you.

sally come lately Mon Aug 2 2010
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