Cycle Hire scheme

Artist's impression of
Cycle Hire scheme
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When you can hire
The bicycles will be available 24 hours a day, all year round. It will be self-service so just turn up and go whenever you get the urge. No need to book.
Who can hire
If you are 14 and over and can use a bicycle without help, Cycle Hire's for you. We'll be providing information in other languages so it's great for tourists too.
Picking up and dropping off your cycle
There will be 400 special docking stations to choose from. Pick up and drop off at any station you fancy.
Costs
To hire a bicycle you will need to pay:
- An access fee (gives you the right to use the scheme)
- A usage charge (based on the duration of the journey)
The first 30 minutes of each journey are free.
Access fee
- 24-hour access - £1
- Seven-day access - £5
- Annual access - £45 (members only)
Usage charges
| Up to 30 minutes | Free | |
|---|---|---|
| Then | ||
| Up to 1 hour | £1 | |
| Up to 1 hour and 30 minutes | £4 | |
| Up to 2 hours | £6 | |
| Up to 2 hours and 30 minutes | £10 | |
| Up to 3 hours | £15 | |
| Up to 6 hours | £35 | |
| Up to 24 hours (maximum usage fee) | £50 | |
| Other charges | ||
| Late return charge | £150 | |
| Damage charge | Up to £300 | |
| Non-return charge | £300 | |
If you'd like to cycle for longer than a couple of hours it might be cheaper for you to use a company that specialises in hiring bicycles.
Key fee
Become a member of the scheme and you will receive a chip-enabled membership key which provides easier and faster access to the bicycles.
You'll pay a one-off charge of:
- £3 per key
Transport for London
One of the joys of my ride home is the way you reconnect with the seasons.
