Hire bikes in the capital are set for a summer boost amid record demand, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said more cycling would be key to a “clean, green and sustainable recovery” from the coronavirus pandemic.

TfL will install 1,700 new Santander cycles – more commonly known as “Boris bikes” – in a 15 per cent boost to stock.

It’s the biggest one-off expansion of the scheme since 2013, and comes amid record demand.

Last month was the busiest May in the hire scheme’s ten year history – with more than 1.1 million cycle hires.

This includes 30,000 free trips for NHS staff – who have been offered a cost free bike commute during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Enfield Independent: There will be four bike docks along the new Tower Bridge to Rotherhithe cycle lane – and a firth at Canada Water (Photo: Google Maps).There will be four bike docks along the new Tower Bridge to Rotherhithe cycle lane – and a firth at Canada Water (Photo: Google Maps).

There will also be 14 new docking stations to pick up and drop of bikes by the end of this year, including eight to be installed this summer.

Three new stations will be around Clapham Common, to improve access to south west London’s green space.

The Local Democracy Service previously reported surging demand for hire bikes around parks at weekends – as more residents take to two wheels during lockdown.

A further four docking stations will be along the new Cycleway 4, which is set to connect Tower Bridge and Rotherhithe – with a fifth station at nearby Canada Water.

The scheme was recently accelerated as part of TfL’s plans to boost walking and cycling as Londoners return to work amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Enfield Independent: Last month was the best May ever in the scheme's decade-long history (Photo: TfL).Last month was the best May ever in the scheme's decade-long history (Photo: TfL).

This summer there will be new bike docks at:

  • Tower Wharf, Southwark
  • George Row, Southwark
  • Bermondsey Station, Southwark
  • Rotherhithe Roundabout, Southwark
  • Canada Water Station, Southwark
  • Gauden Road, Clapham
  • Clapham Common
  • Victoria Rise, Clapham

And later this year, six more docks will be installed at:

  • Metropolitan, Westbourne Park
  • Clifford St, Mayfair
  • London Bridge Station
  • London St, Paddington
  • Gascoyne Road, Victoria Park
  • Temple Gardens, Victoria Embankment

Enfield Independent: There will be three new cycle docks around Clapham Common – as demand for bikes near parks rises (Photo: Google Maps).There will be three new cycle docks around Clapham Common – as demand for bikes near parks rises (Photo: Google Maps).

The Mayor said he is “delighted” by “unprecedented demand for cycling” in recent months.

“I’m determined that our city’s recovery from coronavirus will be clean, green and sustainable and enabling more Londoners to cycle is absolutely central to this,” he said.

“By adding new docking stations, cycle hire hubs and bikes we are making it even more convenient to take to two wheels,” Mr Khan added