Transport for London (TfL) and Santander are celebrating the 15th anniversary of cycle hire in the capital, with a competition to find 15 iconic images of Santander Cycles that showcase London’s beautiful natural landscapes, landmarks and hidden gems.
Riders are encouraged to capture a moment with their Santander Cycle – whether it’s a famous landmark, a peaceful park, or a golden-hour sunset. The 15 winning photographs will showcase beautiful sights that define cycling in the capital.
TfL is working with Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum, London, who will help judge the best photographs and select 15 winning shots. Those 15 winners will receive a free annual Santander Cycles membership (worth £120) and a pair of tickets to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum (valid October 2025 – June 2026). One first prize winner will also receive five tickets to a breakfast reception at the museum on 6 November and a chance to explore the museum before it opens to the public.
TfL Image – Santander Cycle riders in Hyde Park
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TfL launched London’s flagship cycle hire scheme on 30 July 2010 across eight London boroughs with 315 docking stations. Today, there are more than 12,000 cycles available, including more than 2,000 electric cycles from more than 800 docking stations.
TfL and Santander made significant improvements to the Santander Cycles scheme in March by doubling the day pass ride time to one hour and reducing the price of hiring an e-bike. Now customers can make unlimited journeys under 60 minutes in a 24-hour period for just £3.50. The changes are helping to make cycling more accessible to Londoners and tourists and providing them with affordable and green methods of travelling across the capital.
London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, said: “For 15 years, TfL’s cycle hire scheme has helped make cycling more accessible and supported Londoners to choose cleaner, healthier ways to get around – playing a key role in the Mayor’s plans for a more sustainable city.
“I encourage Londoners to enter this anniversary competition. There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs and it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the brilliant places you can discover by bike, whether it’s a famous London landmark or a hidden gem off the beaten track.”
