Santander launches 'Boris bike' app

Santander has released an app that allows people to book a "Boris bike" via their mobile phones.

After replacing Barclays as the sponsor of the Transport for London (TfL) bike hire scheme, Santander has launched its Santander Cycles app, which is available on Android and iOS smartphones.

Developed by mobile ticketing firm Corethree, people can use the app to see where bikes are available and where there is docking space to put the bike they are using. It also allows them to generate a bike release code delivered to their phone which is then tapped into the docking point.

London mayor Boris Johnson said the app will make finding and hiring a bike "even more of a doddle". 

"The app is packed full of handy new features and is part and parcel of our plans to take the cycle hire scheme to the next level and encourage more people on to two wheels,” he said. 

Since it was introduced in 2010, around 40 million journeys have been made using the scheme.

Santander UK chief executive Nathan Bostock said: "We’re absolutely committed to growing and developing Santander Cycles together with TfL by making more bikes available, providing more docking stations and offering extra benefits in future to give Londoners and visitors to the capital the best possible experience."

Use of the scheme rose by a quarter in 2014 with more than 10 million journeys made, according to TfL.

Back in 2011, the transport body made real-time information available on the cycle hire scheme for developers seeking to create mobile apps.