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The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that the popular Santander Cycles scheme will expand to Brixton later this year.
Seven new docking stations, providing space for up to 200 bikes, are to be installed across Brixton after funding was agreed with Lambeth Council. The scheme is already one of the one of the largest cycle hire schemes in Europe and this extension will expand its reach south from Stockwell.
The expansion builds on last year’s installation of eight new docking stations at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and comes after a record-breaking 2016, which saw an unprecedented 10.3m hires – 4.4 per cent up on 2015. This year there has already been more than five million hires, with five of the six months beating year-on-year records for the number of journeys being made.
Later this summer, TfL will also introduce a next-generation bike for Santander Cycles manufactured by Pashley that retains the popular features of the existing model but will be more manoeuvrable with smaller wheels, a lower frame, a new gear hub and a more comfortable seat.
The mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m thrilled that we are expanding our iconic cycle hire scheme to Brixton. We’re working hard to make cycling more accessible across London and this will make a real difference to those living in, working in or visiting Brixton. It’s another step forward in our work to improve air quality and the health of all Londoners.”
London Cycling Campaign CEO Ashok Sinha added: “The Mayor and TfL are rightly setting out how they will encourage cycling by making the road environment safer. But enabling people to switch between walking, cycling, and public transport in an affordable and seamless way – reducing car dependence and overcrowding on buses and tubes – is also essential to making the capital a greener, healthier city. Convenient cycle access on-demand helps achieve this, which is why it is fantastic news that the Santander Cycle Hire scheme is being extended to Brixton. The London Cycling Campaign looks forward to the day when cycle hire on demand is available throughout Greater London.”
Encouraging people to cycle is one of the key components of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which adopts a Healthy Streets approach to help Londoners lead healthier and more active lives. The strategy aims to increase the proportion of people using active and sustainable travel options, and to create streets less dominated by motorised traffic.
