Request ID: FOI-0853-2324 Date published: 17 July 2023
You asked
Dear Sirs
I’m looking for the statistics on rental bikes which were stolen, are missing or have been abandoned.
I wonder how many bikes have never been returned to the docking station. I would appreciate if you could share any information with me.
I presume TfL must be registering those kind of information in the process of annual asset evaluation. I would appreciate if you could share information since 2009/2010 when the scheme has launched.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0853-2324/GH Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19 June 2023 asking for information about Santander Cycles. Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. TfL takes cycle theft extremely seriously and is taking measures to deter it, including installing GPS trackers on bikes, installing cameras at select docking stations and checking equipment at docking stations to ensure bikes are returned properly. TfL works closely with to recover bikes wherever possible, to ensure that they are available for people who need them. Unfortunately we are unable to report on the specific information you have requested and so cannot provide it, however we are able to provide information relating to the number of bikes replaced because they were lost, stolen or faulty, which we hope you will find of interest. Please see this information below.
Year
Bikes replaced
2018
382
2019
624
2020
1290
2021
511
2022
947
Please note that this information is only held for five years, so we are unable to provide data back to 2009/10 as requested. Usage of Santander Cycles increased during the pandemic and lockdown, leading to the increase in the number of bikes replaced in 2020.
If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. Yours sincerely Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
