Santander Cycles to get self-charging e-bikes and new smartphone app

"TfL's cycle hire scheme is set to upgrade its e-bikes next year so they can be recharged when docked, rather than swapping batteries as currently happens. There are currently 2000 e-bikes in the Santander Cycle fleet, leading to a significant increase in longer hires. At the moment, staff visiting the docking stations swap out the batteries when they are low on power, but this risks bikes being unavailable if they are not checked regularly."

"With the docking station recharge, that problem should go away. The Santander Cycles scheme will also be getting a new mobile app and a new QR Code bike release system to make hiring a bike much easier. The docking station terminals will also be modernised across the network to make bike hire easier and more accessible than before. To enable the upgrades, TfL has extended the existing management contract with Serco until 2031."

"London's boom in cycling shows no sign of slowing down, so it's great to see further investment in improvements to the Santander Cycles scheme including the UK's first in-dock charging for e-bikes and a new, easier-to-use app. Following a record number of Santander Cycles member hires in October 2025 and soaring numbers of bike trips across the capital, the Mayor and I will keep investing in sustainable and accessible transport options as we continue to create a greener, fairer, better London for everyone"

TfL will upgrade Santander Cycles e-bikes to allow in-dock recharging next year, replacing the current battery-swap system that risks downtime when stations are not checked. The fleet includes 2,000 e-bikes and has driven more longer hires. Docking terminals will be modernised, and a new mobile app plus QR-code bike release will simplify hiring. TfL extended Serco's management contract to 2031 to enable the upgrades. Santander Cycles recorded over 9 million hires from November 2024 to October 2025, a 4% year-on-year rise. Local councils remain responsible for expanding docking-station networks.

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