9 Tips for Exploring Use Santander Hire Bikes to London With Kids

Before renting Santander bikes with kids, confirm they can safely handle adult-sized bikes and reach pedals comfortably. Download the official app to manage multiple bike rentals, choose day passes for flexibility, and plan routes through London’s parks and quieter streets. Master the 30-minute docking system to avoid extra charges, pack helmets for safety, and position yourselves near attractions with docking stations. Combine cycling with public transport when little legs get tired, and monitor real-time station availability to prevent docking disappointments that could derail your family adventure.

Check Your Children Can Handle Adult-Sized Bikes Before You Start

Before you even think about opening those bright red Santander bikes, you need to honestly assess whether your children can safely handle these adult-sized machines. These aren’t adjustable family bikes—they’re single-size utility cycles designed for adult commuters.

Your child must reach the pedals with a slight knee bend and stand over the frame with both feet flat on the ground. If they’re tiptoeing at the lowest saddle setting, stop right there.

Test essential skills first: can they brake smoothly with both hands, signal while steering, and look over their shoulders without wobbling?

The bikes are heavier than typical children’s cycles, and London’s traffic-heavy streets demand confident control. Remember that Santander Cycles focus on providing sustainable transport options for residents and visitors throughout London.

A quick test ride near a quiet docking station will reveal whether they’re truly ready.

Download the Official App and Set Up Payment for Multiple Bikes

Once your children pass the bike-handling test, you’ll need the official Santander Cycles app to access those bright red bikes efficiently. Download it from Apple App Store or Google Play – it’s the only app that sends bike release codes directly to your phone, letting you skip terminal queues.

However, there’s a significant limitation for families: the app only allows one bike rental at a time. For multiple children, you’ll need to use the docking station kiosks instead, which let you hire up to four bikes simultaneously with your bank card. Keep in mind that bike release codes are valid for 10 minutes at your selected station, so gather your family quickly once you’ve initiated the rental process.

Set up your payment method during registration – you’ll pay as you pedal, with charges appearing after each journey. The app also shows real-time bike availability and helps plan family-friendly routes.

Choose the Right Pricing Option for Your Family’s Needs

Understanding Santander’s pricing structure helps you avoid unexpected charges while keeping the whole family cycling within budget. For single sightseeing rides under 30 minutes, choose the £1.65 single-ride option per bike.

If you’re planning multiple stops in one day—like cycling from the museum to the park to lunch—a £3.50 Day Pass per bike typically costs less than repeated singles.

Break longer rides over 60 minutes into segments with brief docking stops to avoid £1.65 extra-time fees. Remember that bikes must be returned to docking stations rather than being left at any location, so plan your route around the fixed station network.

Regular visiting families benefit from the £20 monthly subscription, while local families cycling weekly should consider the £120 annual option.

Plan Routes Through Parks and Quieter Streets

Since London’s busy streets can overwhelm young cyclists, you’ll want to map out routes that prioritize parks, cycle lanes, and quiet residential roads over major traffic corridors. Use TfL’s Cycleways maps to connect Santander docking stations via low-traffic routes like Cycleways 3, 4, 6, and 27.

Create a “green corridor” by linking Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Regent’s Park through their shared-use cycle paths. Look for organized family rides that feature flat, circular routes on mainly tarmac paths with stops at landmarks like the Peter Pan statue.

Choose TfL’s curated “scenic leisure routes” marked as “easy” or “suitable for beginners.” These feature parks, canals, and back streets rather than multi-lane roads.

Time your rides for weekend mornings or school holiday late mornings when traffic’s lighter.

Use the TfL Journey Planner’s cycling option to automatically find quieter streets, and check the Santander app for backup docking stations along your chosen route.

Master the 30-Minute Docking System to Avoid Extra Charges

While Santander bikes offer unlimited 30-minute rides for just £2 per day, you’ll face steep extra charges if you don’t master the docking system—especially important when cycling with kids who might need bathroom breaks or snack stops.

Always push bikes firmly into empty docking points and wait for the green light before walking away. Without that green confirmation, charges continue accumulating.

If stations are full, select “No docking point free” at the terminal for an extra 15 minutes to find alternatives. Use the Santander Cycles app to check live availability at nearby stations—over 800 locations exist across London with docking points every 300-500 meters. Skip purchasing passes through the app with foreign phone numbers, as receiving the unlock code via text often fails.

When kids spot faulty bikes, press the “Fault” button within 10 seconds and turn the saddle backwards to help keep others safe.

Pack Essential Safety Gear and Check Bikes Before Riding

Once you’ve got the docking system down, your next priority is making sure everyone’s bikes are safe and properly fitted before you start pedaling through London’s busy streets.

Choose smaller-frame Santander bikes so kids can reach the ground comfortly. Adjust saddles so their feet can touch down when stopped, and confirm handlebars allow easy brake access.

Before undocking, squeeze brake levers, ring the bell, and check tyres for proper inflation. The bikes feature puncture-resistant tyres filled with nitrogen for added durability during your ride. Avoid bikes with backward-facing saddles—they’re marked as faulty.

If you discover problems after undocking, return immediately and press the red fault button for a free replacement.

Equip kids with CE-approved helmets, high-visibility clothing, and closed-toe shoes. Pack basic first-aid supplies for minor scrapes during your London adventure.

Use Docking Stations Near Attractions for Flexible Sightseeing

After ensuring everyone’s bikes are road-ready, you’ll want to maximize your London adventure by using the city’s 800 strategically placed docking stations near major attractions.

You can hire from any station and return to any other, giving you complete flexibility for family sightseeing. Popular spots like Westminster, St Paul’s, and Waterloo have convenient stations nearby, making it easy to dock bikes while exploring museums or landmarks with kids.

Download the Santander Cycles app to check real-time bike availability and plan your route. Citymapper also lists docks near Westminster Pier and other key locations. At £1.65 per 30 minutes, the scheme offers an affordable way to explore London’s attractions with the whole family.

Remember you’ll need a five-minute wait between docking and your next hire, so plan accordingly when moving between attractions during your family adventure.

Combine Cycling With Public Transport for Tired Little Legs

When children’s energy starts to flag during your London cycling adventure, combining Santander bikes with public transport becomes your secret weapon for covering more ground without exhausting little legs.

Use bikes for short hops between Tube stations and attractions, then switch underground for longer cross-city stretches. Plan rides to start or end near major central hubs like Waterloo or King’s Cross for quick transfers and step-free access.

Buses work brilliantly for bridging gaps between cycle-friendly areas. Choose low-floor accessible buses when children need rest while still moving between sights.

Keep bike segments to 15–30 minutes, alternating with seated transport legs. Use contactless payment for seamless handoffs, and schedule regular playground stops near stations to break up transfers for restless children. With over 800 docking stations strategically located across central and inner London, you’ll always find convenient spots to return bikes before switching to alternative transport.

Monitor Real-Time Station Availability to Avoid Full Docks

Nothing ruins a family cycling adventure faster than arriving at your destination only to find completely full bike docks and cranky children who can’t understand why they’re still pedaling around in circles. You’ll prevent this nightmare scenario by checking the official Santander Cycles app before starting your journey.

The app shows live availability of bikes and empty docking spaces at all 800 stations across London.

Before heading out, use the app’s journey planner to identify your destination station and confirm it has available docks. Check again during your ride if traveling to high-demand areas like central London, where docks fill quickly during peak hours.

The app refreshes every few minutes with up-to-the-minute data, ensuring you’ll find space when you arrive with tired kids ready to explore on foot. You can also refresh your browser manually to get the latest bike availability information if you’re using the web interface instead of the mobile app.

The Sum Up

You’ve got everything you need to make cycling London’s streets a memorable family adventure. Remember, your children’s safety comes first—don’t rush if they’re struggling with the adult-sized bikes. Take breaks when little legs get tired, stick to your planned routes through parks, and always check your docking times. With proper preparation and realistic expectations, you’ll create fantastic memories while showing your kids London from a completely new perspective. Happy cycling!