Santander Cycles Formerly: Barclays Cycle Hire

Popular but pricey-for-some cycle hire covering all of central London, with about 6,000 Santander-red vehicles available round the clock, to be collected and returned at more than 400 clocking stations to choose from. Inspired by the Paris scheme, this was the brainchild of former mayor Ken Livingstone, who in 2008 lost the election to avid cyclist Boris Johnson, who in 2010 launched the programme, with 'Boris bikes' (or 'Barclays bikes') emerging as a somewhat accepted shorthand. In April 2015 Santander took over the contract from competing bank Barclays. The bikes appear relatively clunky, but riders generally cruise around town with smiles on their faces. 2022: £1.65 for 30 minutes.