London cycle hire scheme rates are cheaper than the bus or tube

The distinctive design of the bicycles was unveiled at the Cycle Show in October and a map showing the location of the docking stations has been available for some time, but details of how much it will cost to use London’s mass cycle hire scheme have hitherto been unknown.

The first 30 minutes of bike hire will cost £1.

Half an hour is enough time for an average cyclist to get from Regent’s Park to Notting Hill Gate or London Bridge to Hyde Park.

The price means that it will be both quicker and cheaper to use a London hire bike within zone one than to travel by bus or tube.

The equivalent journey by bus could take longer and would cost £2. The single cash fare for the same journey by tube is currently £4.

London cycle hire rates

The benefits of cycle insurance

Bikes are vulnerable to theft and in the case of an accident you may need to seek compensation or even deal with a claim by someone else. Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old replacement, third party insurance, personal accident cover and if you breakdown, they will even come out and recover you and your bike.