Hire charges and subscriptions
Do I need to have a debit or credit card to use Santander Cycles?
Yes, you must have a credit or debit card to register and hire a bike with Santander Cycles.
What is a subscription?
The annual subscription is designed for frequent use. For £60 annually, the first 30 minutes (60 minutes in Brunel) of every ride is free, then it’s 50p for every additional 30 minutes. There is no limit to the number of hires you can make with your subscription – so you can make as many journeys as you wish.
The maximum amount you’ll pay with a subscription in 24 hours is £5.00.
Subscription renewal
You can add another subscription easily at any time in your online account under 'Manage tickets and subscriptions'. New subscriptions will start on the day the subscription is purchased and the 12 months you have purchased is not added to any time remaining on your existing subscription.
We will send you an email reminder before your subscription expires.
Can I use the bikes without a subscription?
Yes. The pay as you ride fare is designed for casual use. Each rental costs £1.00 per 30 minutes up to a maximum of £10 in any 24 hour period.
Why do I need to register and pay £5?
Before you can hire a bike you will need to register to use the scheme and nextbike will create an account for you. A debit or credit card needs to be added to your account at registration so that any fares can be charged to the card.
When you register £5 will be debited from your card to check that it is valid. This will then be added to your account and will be used to pay for the first £5 of fares or a subscription fee that you incur. Once the £5 has been spent, future fares will be charged to your card as normal.
Will my £5 credit ever expire?
No. Your credit will stay on your account unless you use it towards fares or a subscription fee, or cancel your customer account.
If you’d like to cancel your subscription and have any remaining credit on your account refunded, please contact customerservice@nextbike.co.uk or call 020 8166 9851.
How will I pay for hires if I go over the free period?
You must link a valid payment card to your account. This will be used to charge for hire fees if you exceed the free period.
Are there any other charges or penalty fares?
nextbike may make additional charges in the following circumstances:
- Lost or damaged lock: £25
- Collection fee if a bike is not left at, or next to, a Santander Cycles docking station: £10 collection fee plus £1 per mile travel costs, dependent upon the location
- Damaged bike: £75
Please check the terms and conditions for more details.
Getting started and hiring a bike
What is Santander Cycles bike share scheme?
Santander Cycles is a public bike share scheme. The bikes make it easy and fun to get around, with no worries about traffic or parking.
The scheme will be operated by nextbike who have experience of managing bike share schemes in over 80 cities worldwide.
You can hire a bike from any Santander Cycles docking station and return it to any of the official docking station.
Can I hire more than one bike on my account?
Of course. You can hire up to four bikes simultaneously so you can enjoy a trip with family and friends.
If I hire more than one bike, does my subscription tariff apply to all?
No, the subscription tariff only applies to one rental at any time. Other simultaneous rentals using your account will be charged at the pay as you ride fare.
Can I take my bike out of the area?
Yes, just make sure you return the bike to an official Santander Cycles docking station when you're finished.
How do I hire a bike?
Use the Santander Cycles app.
Here's how you can hire a bike:
- Enter the bike number into the app and you’ll receive a 4-digit code;
- Enter the code into the bike computer, press ok and the bike will unlock; and
On the bike
- Enter your registered mobile number and 6-digit PIN into the bike’s computer; or
- If you’ve chosen to have a customer card, tap it on the bike’s computer and enter your 6-digit PIN.
By phone
- Call 020 8166 9851;
- Follow the instructions to receive your 4-digit code; and
- Enter the code into the bike’s computer.
For more information, visit How it works
Do I need a smartphone to register for and use Santander Cycles?
No, if you don’t have a smartphone, you can register by calling the nextbike team 24/7 on 020 8166 9851. Once you’ve registered and you are ready to hire a bike, call 020 8166 9851 for the 4-digit code. Enter it into the bike’s computer to unlock and hire.
When you register you can choose whether to receive a customer card for £2. You can use the customer card to hire a bike by holding it next to the bike’s computer and then entering your 6-digit PIN into the bike’s computer.
If you do have a smartphone, you’ll be able to register and use the bikes with the Santander Cycles iOS or Android app!
How do I register?
There are three ways to register:
- Use the Santander Cycles app, free to download from Google Play or the App store.
- Complete the online registration form
- Call the nextbike team on 020 8166 9851 – they’re available 24/7
Where can I hire a bike?
You can visit here to find your nearest Santander Cycles docking station and see how many bikes are available. The docking stations are located throughout the srea and there are maps are on display at each docking station.
The Santander Cycles app also shows the locations of all the docking stations and availability. Download free from Google Play or App Store (iOS).
How long can I hire a bike for?
Santander Cycles is designed for short-term hire, but you can keep the bike as long as you need it. Just remember, your account will continue to be charged until you return it to an official Santander Cycles docking station.
The maximum charge is £10 in any 24-hour period (£5 if you’re a subscriber).
Mobile app
How do I get the Santander Cycles app?
The mobile app is available to download free from Google Play, or the App Store (iOS). Simply search for Santander Cycles.
What do I do if my app’s map is showing a different location?
You can try logging out or restarting the Santander Cycles app. Make sure you’ve turned on your GPS in your phone's settings and log back into the app.
Customer cards
Do I need a customer card?
No. If you don’t have a customer card you can still hire a bike using the app, bike computer or by calling the nextbike team 24/7 on 020 8166 9851.
Where can I get a customer card?
If you didn't order a customer card when you registered, you can order one online from your customer account or call the nextbike team 24/7 on 020 8166 9851. Customer cards cost £2.00.
If you don't have a customer card you can still rent easily using the app, the bike’s computer or by calling the nextbike team 24/7 on 020 8166 9851.
Faults and problems
What do I do if I have a problem with my Santander Cycle?
Please check the bike before hiring to make sure there’s nothing obviously wrong.
If you do find a fault after renting a bike, you can return to the same station within three minutes without being charged.
If you experience a fault after this time, please call the customer service team on 020 8166 9851 for assistance. Please do not call this number about the TfL London scheme as we will not be able to help.
You can also report faults in the Santander Cycles app. The mobile app is free to download on Google Play or App Store (iOS).
Any more questions?
Just give the nextbike team a call on 020 8166 9851. They’re available 24/7.
You can also email customerservice@nextbike.co.uk.
The Santander Cycles App
The perfect tool for help with station locations, availability, route planning as well as all your account information. Download now from the App Store.
