1. Do the Santander bicycles have satellite connections and how does TFL find out where they are, including when they are docked back into a docking station? 2. How often are Santander bicycles checked for roadworthiness at docking stations? 3. What do these checks consist of? 4. How often are Santander bicycles tyres checked? 5. What do these checks consist of? I make this application under section 8(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or regulation 5(1) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

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Our ref: FOI-1184-2021/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 September 2020 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. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.

1. Do the Santander bicycles have satellite connections and how does TFL find out where

they are, including when they are docked back into a docking station?

The scheme bikes have an RFID chip that is read each time the bike is docked which identifies the bike in the scheme IT system. A proportion of the bike fleet are fitted with GPS trackers that communicate with our IT system using a sim card within each unit which allows TfL to track the bikes when not docked.

2. How often are Santander bicycles checked for roadworthiness at docking stations?

Each bike receives as a minimum a full annual service.  If a customer finds a fault with bike during hire they can press the fault button on the docking point which locks the bike in until it has been checked by an operative.  The operative will triage the bike and if the fault is easy to diagnose and can be fixed at the docking station then it is.  If the issue is more complex the bike is sent back to the bike depot where it receives a full service.  On average each bike receives a full service 3 times in a 12 month period.   

3. What do these checks consist of?

As part of the service each bike receives a quality check before being released back into the scheme. This involves a checklist of testing all parts of the bikes such as the frame, wheels, steer, brakes, drive train and gears, mudguards, saddle and seat post.

4. How often are Santander bicycles tyres checked?

The tyres are checked as part of the full service

5. What do these checks consist of?

The tyre checks include ensuring the tyres is sufficiently inflated, has sufficient tread and don’t have canvas damage.

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

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

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