Request ID: FOI-2316-2122 Date published: 01 February 2022
You asked
Dear Sir/Madam,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would like to know
• The number of Santander Cycles that needed to be replaced because they were lost, stolen or faulty
If possible, I would like this data broken down by the three categories (lost, stolen or faulty) as a total for 2020 and 2021, with a year end of December 31 or whatever year end is used internally. Please see previous FOI you answered on the subject - ref: FOI-3523-1920/GH
If it looks as if the work involved in responding to this FOI is going to exceed the time permitted under the FOIA then please contact me as soon as possible to discuss how I can reduce the scope of this request.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2316-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 12 January 2022 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 – please see the table below:
2020
2021*
Broken/damaged
148
65
Stolen
77
41
Lost
934
1164
Total
1159
1270
*2021 data is for 1st January – 30th September. We classify a bike missing if it hasn’t been returned 24 hours after the hire. There is a three month delay in the reporting of missing bikes as a large number of bikes go missing for over 24 hours but are quickly found and returned to the scheme.
Please note that Santander Cycles has played a vital role in keeping people moving during the pandemic and we want to make sure bikes continue to be available, which is why we take any theft or loss extremely seriously. In recent years we have stepped up our measures to ensure bikes are recovered – this includes working closely with the Metropolitan Police to deter theft of Santander Cycles, as well as taking measures such as installing cameras at select docking stations, introducing new bikes with GPS tracking, and checking equipment at docking stations to ensure bikes are returned properly. We encourage people to continue to report any abandoned bikes to us via our website, email or the Santander Cycles app.
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
