In recent years, cycling has emerged as a healthy, quick and enjoyable mode of transportation, becoming one of the most popular ways to commute in the bustling city of London. In 2024, an estimated 1.33 million cycling journeys were made per day, with figures reflecting a steady growth in cycling journeys since 2019. Alongside this trend, rental bikes have gained popularity, with key bike suppliers including Santander, Lime and Forest. Each brand offers unique advantages and drawbacks, prompting the question: which bike hire service resonates most with and captures the hearts of London’s cyclists?

Santander Cycles: The OG

Formerly known as “Boris Bikes” (thanks to Boris Johnson, who launched the public TfL Santander Cycle Hire Schemeduring his tenure as Mayor of London), Santander Cycles claimed the title of the OG rental bike service when it launched its non-electric bikes in 2010. Priced at £1.65 for a single 30-minute ride and £3 for 24-hour access to unlimited 30-minute rides, its affordability greatly enhances its appeal among riders.

The flagship cycle hire scheme’s red rental bikes are easily recognisable, featuring a trademark laser front light shaped like a bicycle, as well as military-style docking stations located throughout London. This design effectively minimises the littering of hire bikes across the city and advocates sustainable transport. In 2017, Santander further expanded its offerings by introducing a new, innovative model created by British company Pashley Cycles in Stratford-upon-Avon. The new model featured a smaller frame and reduced wheel size, decreasing from 26 inchesto 24 inches, aimed at improving acceleration when cycling. Santander’s new, inclusive design successfully attracted a wider range of cyclists, expanding to serve more of the city.

But Santander did not stop there. In October 2022, cyclists saw the introduction of 500 e-bikes into the Santander bike hire scheme. While the e-bikes resemble their non-electric counterparts, they can be distinguished by their chunky mid-drive around the pedal area and green decals on the frame. A digital screen also displays the remaining battery capacity. The arrival of e-bikes brought improvements in performance and smoother rides, which inevitablyresulted in a price increase. Each e-bike ride costs £3.30, with an additional £1 charged for every 30-minute e-bikeride taken with a 24-hour pass. Santander’s fleet of 2,000 e-bikes has been well-received by Londoners, being hired at around twice the rate of non-electric bikes, with over 1 million hires recorded since their launch in 2022.

Despite its advantages, the number of journeys made using Santander Cycles was recorded to hit its lowest level in a decade in 2023. Only 4.9 million hires were recorded in the first two quarters of the year, marking a 33% drop compared to the equivalent period in 2022. So what was responsible for this decline? One potential factor is Santander’s reliance on an app-based system for unlocking e-bikes, which can pose challenges for older userswho may be unfamiliar with electronic devices or those who prefer using a bank card at docking stations. Reports of app glitches in the app may further frustrate cyclists attempting to unlock bikes or make reservations. Additionally, the insufficient availability of e-bikes at docking stations contributes to the downward trend, making it difficult for users to access them when needed.

Another significant limitation of Santander cycles is its dependence on docking stations, which starkly contrasts with the flexibility offered by dockless alternatives like Lime and Forest Bikes. These docking stations can occasionally malfunction, causing significant inconvenience for users who find themselves unable to dock their bikes after a ride. When a docking station is broken, out of service, or fully occupied, cyclists are forced to navigate to another location, which can be frustrating – especially for those in a hurry or unfamiliar with the area. This often necessitates cyclists to contact customer service for assistance, which is often reported to involve long wait times or additional complications.

Lime Bikes: The American Brand

Founded in San Francisco in 2017, Lime Bikes operates with its electric bikes in over 230 cities worldwide. The bikeswere introduced in London in 2018, before Lime acquired Uber’s Jump bikes and painted them light green in May 2020. 

The brand offers a variety of payment options, including pay-as-you-go and subscription passes. Pay-as-you-go rides require paying a £1 unlocking fee, followed by a per-minute charge, which can lead to high costs for even short journeys.

Alternatively, LimePass includes options like Minutes Bundles, providing a set number of minutes and unlimited free unlocks within that limit, and LimePrime, a monthly subscription costing £8.99 that offers unlimited free unlocks for pay-as-you-go rides, with the rider paying for minutes on top of that.

Despite being the most expensive bike brand in London, Lime has several notable benefits that have captured the attention of many cyclists. Lime Bikes excel in their accessibility, with a report indicating that 97% of London’s demographic is never more than two minutes away from a Lime bike. Such proximity allows cyclists to quickly access a bike without locating a docking station, as Santander’s system requires. The dockless feature of Lime bikes means they can be parked almost anywhere, conveniently in accordance with the needs of busy London commuters. However, the rapid increase in the number of dockless Lime bikes left abandoned across the city has raised significant concerns regarding their management and parking. Transport officials have reported “unacceptable numbers” of Lime bikes cluttering pavements and roads, often exceeding the fleet caps agreed upon with the local councils, leading to safety and mobility issues.

Despite these challenges, Lime bikes are known for providing an excellent riding experience, primarily due to theirimpressive speed, acceleration and effective electrical system. The user-friendly bikes feature an adjustable seat post that accommodates a wide range of riders, including taller individuals. Novice riders can further benefit from a training mode that limits the maximum speed to 8 mph, while late-night riders are supported by a safety check in the Lime bike app, promoting a safer riding experience. Additionally, users can rate their experience after a ride, and should any issues arise, they can submit a photo to Lime, which will refund the cost of the ride or offer discounts for future rides. A standout feature of the bike is the ability to reserve a bike for 10 minutes, allowing users to quickly secure a nearby bike.

Occasionally, riders may experience some extra resistance from older bikes or encounter squeaky noises when pedalling. Lime e-bikes may also be slightly heavier than traditional bikes, which may pose challenges for some riders when starting or turning corners. However, these issues can typically be resolved with practice.

Overall, Lime bikes provide a seamless and supportive cycling experience.

Forest: The 2020s Creation

The latest e-bike brand to enter the rental market is Forest, formerly known as HumanForest. Launched in 2020, Forest Bikes quickly established itself as a notable dockless bicycle hire service. Albeit shutting down shortly afterwards due to a cyclist accident, the company resumed operations in 2021. With their distinctive dark green colours, Forest Bikes are easy to spot on the streets of London.

Forest Bikes are ideal for short trips, offering riders 10 minutes of free riding every day. However, this does not cover the £1 unlocking fee and daily service fee of 90p for the first ride, which may diminish their competitive pricing structure. Once the free minutes are exhausted, rides cost 29p per minute, and like Lime, the bikes can accelerate quickly. Another option to purchase bundles would perhaps enhance affordability, with prices set at £3 per 30-minute bundle.

Similar to Lime Bikes, a primary advantage of Forest Bikes is the convenience they offer. Riders can cycle without needing to locate a docking station, facilitating more spontaneous trips. Forest Bikes has also taken steps to address the problem of improper and arbitrary parking by introducing dedicated “preferred parking” spots. Users are incentivized to return bikes to designated areas to earn extra minutes for their next ride. This feature not only promotes responsible bike usage but also helps mitigate the clutter often associated with dockless bike schemes. Additionally, the bikes are available in 14 London boroughs, making them accessible to many users. Nonetheless, areas like Hackney experience the challenge of limited bike availability, which can hinder potential riders.

Despite these benefits, Forest Bikes are not without drawbacks. Cyclists have noted that the bikes can be a bit too tall, making it difficult for shorter riders to reach the ground comfortably. Additionally, the reliance on preferred parking spots may limit flexibility, as it can be inconvenient and frustrating for users unable to find a designated area.

So which is best?

Red, Light Green, Dark Green – each bike brand has its own appeal among London riders. Santander stands out for its affordability, Lime excels in innovation, and Forest is recognised for its convenience. Each brand is not without its advantages and challenges. So, which is your favourite?