A city-wide photography competition seeking to highlight what cycling in everyday London holds will mark the 15th anniversary of TfL and Santander’s cycle hire scheme.
There have been five million hires so far in 2025 alone, marking a 6% rise from the previous year, but the milestone is about how cycling has reshaped the city more than just numbers.
To celebrate the cultural impact of the scheme, TfL and Santander have launched a photography competition inviting cyclists to capture the beauty of London from the saddle.
TfL’s head of cycle hire David Eddington said: “The London cycle hire scheme has become an iconic London transport mode over the past 15 years, much loved, and photographed, by millions of Londoners and visitors.”
Partnering with the Natural History Museum and its prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, the competition seeks 15 winning images of Santander Cycles set against London’s parks, landmarks, and lesser-known corners.
These snapshots should reflect not just the city’s changing skyline, but the place cycling now holds in everyday London life.
One grand-prize winner will receive five tickets to an exclusive breakfast reception at the Natural History Museum, while all 15 winners will be awarded a free annual Santander Cycles membership and exhibition tickets.
This seems an apt way to celebrate one of the world’s most successful cycle hire schemes, with more than 12,000 bikes, over 800 docking stations, and millions of journeys made each year.
A major overhaul in March extended ride times and reduced e-bike costs, enabling users to make unlimited 60-minute trips for £3.50 a day, with the aim of making cycling even more affordable and helping to support the city’s sustainability and health goals.
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.”
Santander UK’s head of sponsorships and events Melissa Noakes added the partnership was a privilege.
The focus for the scheme remains on continuing to expand access, reducing environmental impact and celebrating the freedom cycling can bring.
Featured image: Free to use from Unsplash
