Request ID: FOI-2882-2122 Date published: 01 April 2022
You asked
I am making this request for information under the Freedom of Information Act.
1. What are TFL’s obligations under the Santander cycle hire scheme?.
2. How many accidents/incidents have been recorded involving under 18s and what % is this of overall accidents/incidents?
3. What checks/safeguards are in place to ensure bikes are not hired inappropriately…I.e. by under 18s?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2882-2122
Thank you for your request received on 17 March 2022 asking for information about the Santander Cycle Hire Scheme.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked
1. What are TFL’s obligations under the Santander cycle hire scheme?
Transport for London (TfL) has operated the Santander (previously Barclays) Cycle Hire scheme since its launch in 2010. Through the Bike Management Supplier contract (operated by Serco) TfL is responsible for the safety and operation of the scheme including the purchase, maintenance and redistribution of bikes, mobile app, on-street docking terminals and cleaning. All cycles are given a full service at least once every 12 months. There have been more than 112 million customers who have used the Cycle Hire scheme since its launch in 2010.
2. How many accidents/incidents have been recorded involving under 18s and what % is this of overall accidents/incidents?
The age of those Cycle Hire users involved in an accident is not recorded by TfL. In the last 12 months there have been 49 reported collisions involving Cycle Hire customers which resulted in injuries.
3. What checks/safeguards are in place to ensure bikes are not hired inappropriately…I.e. by under 18s?
Before hiring a cycle all customers must accept the Terms and Conditions of hire. This applies to both casual customers hiring at the terminal and members purchasing an access period on line or through the mobile app. The Terms and Conditions state that customers must be 18 years or over to hire a cycle. Customers may purchase a bike access period for up to three persons (if they are a casual user) or for each person with a key on their account (if they are a registered user). Additional users can be 14 years or over. The terms and conditions state that as the hirer:
6.2 You are responsible for: a) Each Additional User and any of their actions when using a Cycle. This means that you must ensure that each Additional User complies with these terms and conditions and all other published requirements of Cycle Hire from time to time and that each Additional User has due regard to the Tips for Safer Cycling b) ensuring that each Additional User understands that we may require certain information about their use of a Cycle, in accordance with paragraph Your obligations below and c) all Charges incurred by each Additional User d) Our Terms and Conditions, which each customer accepts before using Santander Cycles, states;
9.3 When using a Cycle, you and each Additional User must: b) have due regard to the Tips for Safer Cycling
These Safer Cycling tips are available on our website https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/safety/road-safety-advice/cycling?intcmp=63453 and on the Santander Cycles app. They are also printed on the terminal for casual customers of Santander Cycles;
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
