Santander Cycles are still cheaper than the ‘dockless’ e-bikes’ [Tiia Monto CC 3.0 detail]

• I AGREE with your correspondent (Change bike hire pricing, September 15) that the Santander Cycles have become more expensive to use if travelling multiple times per day, since the “per day” access charge was replaced with a per-ride charge.

The Santander Cycles are still significantly cheaper than the “dockless” e-bikes from Lime, HumanForest and others.

A daily cap would be welcome for less frequent users, similar to the cap applied for bus travel, capped after three journeys; worth asking your prospective candidates for Greater London Assembly if they would campaign to introduce a daily cap for the Santander Cycles.

The current pricing is intended to encourage regular users to have a monthly subscription or
an annual subscription (both online). Both subscriptions allow unlimited rides of up to 60 minutes, with no waiting time between rides as long as you undock a different bike.

The monthly subscription of £20 will break even with around three journeys per week and the annual subscription of £120 will break even with around two journeys per week (one journey’s usage, there and back).

The subscription also discounts the Santander e-bikes to £1 per 60 minutes. Subscriptions also work well with the electronic key fob linked to the online account. The key fob allows quick hiring without needing a mobile app or use of a payment card at time of hire.

The key fob is £3 (one-off charge, you can have up to four linked to the account); I have found they last about two years before needing a free replacement due to the plastic shell degrading – call the contact centre.

Occasionally, usually autumn, there have been discounts on the annual membership. There was a brief “sale” last November with a 25 per cent discount, so search online regularly.

MILES THOMAS, NW8