The Ultimate Guide to Bike Share in London
Bike share is quickly becoming the preferred method of transport for commuters in London, with shared bikes dotted around almost every corner of the city.
In fact, leading UK bike share provider, Lime, recently achieved a massive new milestone – hitting 1 million global rides in a single day, with London topping the charts for the highest number of trips.
But what exactly is bike share? How does it work? And how is it different from owning your own bike?
In this blog post, we’ll unpack everything you need to know before you give bike sharing a go. This is the ultimate guide to bike share in London.
What is bike share and how does it work?
Bike share is a convenient and affordable way to cycle without owning a bike. Similar to other shared mobility concepts like ZipCar, these schemes allow you to locate and unlock a nearby bike, ride it to your destination, and park it – all with a few clicks on your phone.
There are two types of bike sharing schemes in London:
- Docked bike share: These bikes must be picked up and returned to specific docking stations. The most recognisable example is Santander Cycles – otherwise known as “Boris Bikes”.
- Dockless bike share: These bikes can be picked up and parked in approved areas without the need for a docking station. Popular providers in London include Lime, Forest, and Voi.
Most schemes operate via a mobile app. Here’s how it typically works:
- Download the app from your chosen provider (e.g., Lime, Santander, Forest, Voi, etc).
- Locate a nearby bike using the in-app map.
- Unlock the bike by scanning a QR code or tapping your phone.
- Ride to your destination
- End your ride by locking the bike, either at a docking station or in a designated parking area.
Whether you’re looking for a convenient commute or just need to take a short, spontaneous journey – bike share is designed to work for you. Use pay-as-you-go, buy a pass or, if your employer offers it, subscribe through a salary sacrifice scheme like CycleSaver and save up to 47% on your monthly ride minutes.
The benefits of bike share
Bike sharing schemes provide a cost effective solution to the pain points of bike ownership – so you don’t need to worry about costly maintenance and insurance policies, bike theft, or the need for additional storage space.
They offer a wide range of benefits for both individual users and entire cities:
- Hassle-free and cost effective: No need to buy, insure or maintain your own bike
- Improves your health: Swapping out your tube journey for cycling as your commute offers great physical and mental health benefits. Research from CoMoUK showed that over 80% of bike share users report a positive impact on their mental health
- Eco-friendly: Reduces emissions and traffic congestion, helping to improve air and noise pollution
- Flexible: Pick up a bike near home, ride to work, and drop it in a convenient parking zone of your choice near the office
- Perfect for London living: No need for bike storage or to worry about theft as the bikes are shared
Which is better – pedal bikes or e-bikes?
Whether you’re new to bike share or a seasoned two-wheeled commuter, you’ve probably asked the same question at some point – “pedal bike or e-bike?”
Both are brilliant ways to get around London – fast, flexible, and far less sweaty than the Northern Line in July.
But depending on your route to work, fitness levels, and how much you’re carrying (including emotional baggage for that 9am meeting), one might suit you better than the other.
Pedal bikes are the classic choice, and have been around for the longest. They’re ideal for short, flat journeys and anyone who enjoys a bit of light exercise on their commute into the office. Plus, they’re usually cheaper to hire, so if you’re cycling every day or keeping an eye on costs, they’re probably your go-to option.
E-bikes, on the other hand, give you a nice, gentle boost (once you’re used to that initial kickstart – if you know, you know). You still pedal, but an electric motor helps take the edge off hills and tired legs. Perfect if you’re in a rush, carrying a heavy bag, or just want to arrive at the office looking fresh instead of flushed. They’re usually more expensive per ride, but the time (and sweat) you save makes it worth it for most.
Plus, if you’re using a salary sacrifice subscription like CycleSaver, the cost difference between the two can narrow significantly – making it easier than ever before to upgrade to that battery-powered bliss.
In short – both pedal and e-bikes are great options and it ultimately just depends on your personal preference.
Top bike share providers compared
London’s bike sharing scene is thriving, with multiple providers offering a range of options to suit different needs, budgets and locations.
Here’s how the leading bike share services stack up:
1) Lime
Lime is one of the most widely recognised shared e-bike providers in London, known for its distinctive lime green bikes and easy to use app. Its fully dockless model makes it easy to pick up and drop off a bike wherever you are. Lime’s pricing is pay-as-you-go, but bundles are available to reduce costs for regular riders.
Key points:
- Price: £1 to unlock + £0.29/min (bundles also available from £3.99 for 30 mins)
- Bike type: E-bikes only
- Docked or dockless: Dockless
Check out CycleSaver’s subscriptions and enjoy Lime rides for up to 47% less thanks to salary sacrifice savings.
2) Santander Cycles (TfL)
Often known as “Boris Bikes,” Santander Cycles is London’s original bike sharing scheme. With over 13,000 bikes and hundreds of docking stations, it’s ideal for central London travel. Recently, the scheme has also introduced e-bikes to keep up with the growing market and support longer, more strenuous rides.
Key points:
- Price: £1.65 for 30 minutes
- Bike type: Pedal bikes and e-bikes
- Docked or dockless: Docked
With CycleSaver’s Santander subscriptions, you can access unlimited 60 minute rides from as little as £5.30 per month.
3) Forest
Forest (formerly HumanForest) is another widely recognised bike share operator in London, which provides users with free daily ride time, making it a popular choice for short regular trips around the city.
Key points:
- Price: First 10 minutes free daily, then £0.29/min (a variety of bundles are also available in the app)
- Bike type: E-bikes only
- Docked or dockless: Dockless
Check out CycleSaver’s monthly and annual Forest subscriptions for unbeatable value for money.
4) Voi
London’s new kid on the block, Voi recently rolled out its e-bikes across several boroughs in London – including Ealing, Kensington and Chelsea and Putney. With its bright pink bikes and generous ride bundles, Voi offers a compelling option for commuters looking for flexibility and speed.
Key points:
- Price: 300-min bundle for £24.99 or 750-min bundle for £54.99
- Bike type: E-bikes only
- Docked or dockless: Dockless
Cycle to work schemes for bike share
As the UK continues to face a shift towards the use of shared bikes instead of bike ownership, the traditional cycle to work model (that’s been around since 1999) is in desperate need of innovation.
That’s where CycleSaver comes in.
CycleSaver makes these bike sharing schemes even more affordable to you by offering salary sacrifice subscriptions to the UK’s top bike share providers, including Lime, Forest, TfL’s Santander Cycles, and more.
Through CycleSaver, you’ll save up to 47% on subscriptions offered by these bike share providers, through the tax benefits of salary sacrifice. That means a 25 minute Lime e-bike ride that would usually cost £2.65 could cost you as little as £1.40.
And, with the cost of living crisis showing no signs of slowing down, there’s never been a better time to make your hard-earned pounds go further each month.
Here’s how the salary sacrifice savings work:
Because this benefit is offered through salary sacrifice (a government-approved form of tax relief), the amount you save depends on your personal tax band.
Higher-rate taxpayers usually save more than those on the basic rate, as the discount comes from the Income Tax and National Insurance you’d otherwise pay on that part of your salary.
Example 1: 28% savings
| Lime 1000 min bundle | Cost breakdown |
| Monthly Salary Sacrifice Amount | £99.99 |
| Employee Income Tax Savings | – £20.00 |
| Employee National Insurance Savings | – £8.00 |
| You pay | £71.99 |
Example 2: 42% savings
| Lime 1000 min bundle | Cost breakdown |
| Monthly Salary Sacrifice Amount | £99.99 |
| Employee Income Tax Savings | – £40.00 |
| Employee National Insurance Savings | – £2.00 |
| You pay | £57.99 |
Example 3: 47% savings
| Lime 1000 min bundle | Cost breakdown |
| Monthly Salary Sacrifice Amount | £99.99 |
| Employee Income Tax Savings | – £45.00 |
| Employee National Insurance Savings | – £2.00 |
| You pay | £52.99 |
How to get your company set up
Whether you’re an HR leader, benefits manager or simply a cycling enthusiast trying to get your employer on board – the good news is that setting up CycleSaver is quick, easy and completely free for businesses. In fact, companies usually benefit from a reduced wage bill and lower National Insurance contributions.
Here’s how it works:
- Book a call or sign up online: CycleSaver offers a simple online signup process, or if you aren’t quite ready to sign up yet, you can schedule a quick call with the team to learn more.
- Set up your direct debit details: These are required in order to ensure that payment is as seamless as possible, however if your company is unable to set up a direct debit, please contact us to discuss other options.
- Unique company link: Once you’re set up, we’ll email you a unique CycleSaver link to share with your employees. They can use this link to apply for their favourite bike sharing products through your company’s profile with us.
- Support when you need it: Whether you’re a company of 5 or 5,000, you’ll have access to dedicated support to make sure everything runs smoothly.
CycleSaver is already working with over 220 companies – making it the trusted choice for businesses looking to offer modern, sustainable benefits.
How to get employees set up
Getting started with a bike share subscription through CycleSaver is simple – whether your company’s already signed up or not. Here’s how it works:
If your company is already signed up
- Visit the CycleSaver application page through your companies unique application link
- Choose which bike or e-bike subscription works for you
- Submit your application
- Once submitted, your employer will approve the salary sacrifice. You’ll then receive your voucher to get cycling
- That’s it – no upfront payment needed, just automatic deductions from your payslip – saving you between 28% and 47%
If your company isn’t signed up yet
- Visit the CycleSaver application page
- Select which bike or e-bike subscription works best for you
- Fill out a short form on our website and submit your application
- We’ll contact your elected HR contact with all the information they need to get onboarded
- As soon as your company’s signed up, and HR has approved your application, you’ll receive your voucher and can get cycling!
Whether your company’s ready to go or needs a nudge, CycleSaver makes switching to bike share commuting easy and affordable. Need help getting started? Just get in touch – we’re here to help.
Ready to ride?
Whether you’re a first-time rider or a seasoned commuter, bike share is transforming the way Londoners move – offering a faster, greener, and more affordable alternative to traditional travel.
With a range of providers to choose from, flexible options to suit your lifestyle, and the added bonus of up to 47% tax savings through CycleSaver, there’s never been a better time to ditch the train delays and take control of your commute.
LinkedIn
Instagram