Santander has today been confirmed as the new sponsor of London’s cycle hire scheme in what Transport for London (TfL) claims is the world’s biggest public sector sponsorship. The £43.75 million, seven year deal will see the scheme renamed Santander Cycles, with the navy blue ‘Boris bikes’ getting a new red and white livery.
Bikes, as well as docking stations, service vehicles, staff uniforms and membership keys, will be rebranded from April onwards, and a Santander Cycles app will be launched which is said to make it easier than ever to hire a bike.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, commented: “As everyone knows, London buses, phone kiosks and post boxes are red. In Santander Cycles, we have a new red icon symbolising the capital to Londoners, and the world. Santander's marketing expertise will help us take the Cycle Hire scheme to a new level, and I am thrilled to welcome them.
“With my Cycling Vision about to bear fruit in new Superhighways, Quietway cycle routes and better junctions, there will be more opportunities than ever for Santander Cycles. It couldn't be a better time to get involved in cycling,” he added.
According to TfL, the deal will be worth £6.25 million a year over seven years, with an option to extend for three years, “plus a further £1 million a year for the fixed term in an activation fund for marketing and promotion.” The contract does not cover the capital’s Cycle Superhighways.
That compares to £5 million a year under the previous sponsor, Barclays, which controversially managed to claw some of that back when performance targets were not missed; it is believed there is no similar clause in the new contract.
Santander UK CEO Nathan Bostock said: `The Santander Cycles scheme is a great example of our commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate across the UK.
“We are committed to making the experience of using Santander Cycles as simple, personal and fair as possible.
“It is why we will launch a world-first app to enable users to engage with the scheme from the palm of their hand; offer a more rewarding experience with cash back on every journey for customers of our 1|2|3 Credit Card; and why we will be looking to have Cycle Champions in all of Santander's London branches to help users make the most of the scheme and their city.”
I'd consider the staffing/agency staff problem should be given a higher priority to fix as it's surely a huge waste of money. The NHS has been hit...
Try WH Smith. Although not all branches are open on Sundays.
Ultegra quick-release cranks? Lancs police saving thousands by avoiding unnecessary prosecution of offenses? Can't see grounds for complaint?
...he doesn't want to do it on his own time
Indeed, more space than to be given to a cyclist. Not diving into a muddy verge earned me the threat of assault and being declared a f*cking idiot.
I think we have a lot in common with equestrians - like our lives on country roads are made difficult and dangerous by drivers being the main one....
This seems to be my theme ATM but I think almost every infra / legal story here could be ended with the following and have the majority of the...
It sure is!
If this happened to my wife or mother I would make it my personal mission in life to find and torture this person until he accidentally died.
I recieved notifications. Make sure you have game emails ticked in your account settings.