How to Cancel Santander Cycles
Santander Cycles (commonly called 'Boris Bikes') is London's public bike-sharing scheme offering unlimited access to thousands of bicycles across the city for £20 per year, with free rides up to 30 minutes. You can cancel your membership anytime through your Transport for London account online. Be aware that TfL does not offer refunds for unused membership periods if you cancel mid-year.
Steps verified
Quick Facts
- Cancel online?
- Yes
- Pause option?
- No
- Refund policy
- TfL does not offer pro-rata refunds for cancelled memberships. Your subscription remains active until the end of your paid annual period, but you will not receive a refund for unused months or days.
- After cancellation
- Your TfL account and ride history are retained after cancellation to enable future rejoining. You can request account deletion by contacting TfL customer support.
Cancellation Steps
Go directly to Santander Cycles cancellation pageLog in to your TfL account
Visit tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling and click 'Sign in' in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password associated with your Santander Cycles account.
Navigate to your membership settings
Select 'My account' from the menu, then click 'Membership' to view your active Santander Cycles subscription and renewal date.
Find your active membership
Locate your annual membership (£20) listed under 'Active memberships' and click on it to access cancellation options.
Cancel your membership
Click 'Cancel membership' or 'Turn off auto-renewal', skip any retention offers, and confirm your cancellation when prompted.
Confirm cancellation via email
Check your registered email for a TfL confirmation within 5-15 minutes confirming your membership will not auto-renew.
Tips & Things to Know
- Cancel before your renewal date to avoid being charged for another year; your membership remains active until the end of your paid period, so you can still use bikes afterwards.
- If you use bikes fewer than 13 times per year, switch to pay-as-you-go (£1.65 per 30 minutes) instead of renewing the annual membership.
- Check your bank statement 5-7 days after cancellation to ensure you weren't charged for renewal, especially if you cancelled close to your renewal date.
Your Consumer Rights
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK): Provides protections for consumers against unfair contract terms and ensures the right to cancel online subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I cancel my Santander Cycles membership at any time?
- Yes, you can cancel anytime through your TfL account. Your membership remains active until the end of your paid period, so you can continue using the bikes for free rides up to 30 minutes.
- Will I get a refund if I cancel mid-year?
- No, TfL does not offer pro-rata refunds. If you cancel before your renewal date, you forfeit any unused membership value, though your access continues until the end of your paid period.
- How long does cancellation take?
- The cancellation process takes 2-3 minutes to complete online, and you should receive a confirmation email within 5-15 minutes.
- What happens to my account and ride history after cancellation?
- Your TfL account and ride history are retained, allowing you to rejoin quickly in the future. You can request deletion by contacting TfL customer support.
- Can I use Santander Cycles outside of London?
- No, Santander Cycles operates only in London. If you relocate, you'll need to cancel and may consider alternatives like Lime or Voi, which operate in other UK cities.