With London becoming such an environmentally focused city, the capital has come up with a number of ways to reduce carbon emissions on the road. From congestion charges to a push on increasing the use of electric cars, there has also been an introduction of new transport methods that make getting around London a much easier task: e-scooters and Boris bikes. As many people may not be aware of how to use them or even of their existence, we have formed a guide for you to refer to once you fancy trying them out. So read on to find out how to use the e-scooters and Boris bikes in London!
E-scooters
On 7th July 2021, electric scooters became available to rent across a small number of London boroughs, making this the only legal way to ride them on public roads or in public places. The following boroughs are the only places e-scooters are available to do so:
- City of London
- Ealing
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Lambeth (north of the borough only)
- Richmond upon Thames
- Southwark
- Tower Hamlets
- Westminster
Renting of the e-scooters can be done through three operators mobile apps: Dott, Lime and TIER, and doing so is very easy. Once you download the app, simply complete the registration process by verifying your age and driving license (you must have a full or provisional to be able to use one) and then completing the mandatory in-app training before your first ride. Once that has been completed, you can then use a QR code or vehicle ID displayed on the e-scooter to unlock your chosen e-scooter and enjoy the ride! To unlock the e-scooter, it typically costs £1, plus an additional fee of 14p-20p per minute of use, and you must be 18 or over to be able to use them. They can generally be used in the same space as bicycles.
Boris bikes
Now known by many as the Santander Cycles, Boris bikes is a public bike hire scheme that is becoming an increasingly popular way to travel around London. Dotted across the capital, there are a number of bikes that you can use for just £2 per 30 minutes within a 24 hour period, plus another £2 for every additional 30 minutes. For ease of use, you can simply download the Santander Cycles app, and this will allow you to skip past the terminal to get on the cycle quicker, see live cycle and docking space availability, and use a journey planner to easily plan your routes. It’s also just as easy without the app. All you need to do is go to the nearest docking station terminal (which accepts contactless debit or credit card), choose ‘Hire a cycle’ and follow the onscreen instructions. From there, you take a printed release code, enter it to release the bike and then it’s all yours! Once you have completed your journey, you can then return it to an empty docking station anywhere nearby, it’s that easy.
