Bike sharing

Bike sharing schemes enable anyone to borrow a bike for a journey in London. There are a number of different bike share schemes that currently operate in the borough.

 

Dockless cycle hire

Hackney’s dockless cycle hire service with Lime was launched in June 2022.

With dockless cycle hire, you can find, unlock and rent bikes using a smartphone app, there’s no need for a fixed docking station. Download the Lime app from the Apple app store or Google Play.

This allows you to begin and end your journey at accessible cycle hire parking bays across Hackney.

What it costs

Lime charges a fixed rate to unlock an e-bike and then per minute to ride. Average journeys cost between £3.50 and £4.50.

Many residents will be eligible for Lime Access membership which gives a 50% discount on unlimited e-bike rides.

Parking your bike

Hackney has cycle hire bays all over the borough, so it’s easy to find a place to park your bike without blocking pavements or shared public spaces.

To end your trip, you must park your bike in a cycle hire bay and take a photo to confirm.

If you don’t follow the parking guidelines and restrictions you may receive a warning or fine.

Use the map below to find cycle hire bays in Hackney. You can also see these locations on the Lime App.

We’re also working to improve parking by adding 400 cycle hire parking bays by 2026.

If you want to suggest a new location for a cycle hire bay or report an issue about an existing one, email streetscene.enquiries@hackney.gov.uk.

Map of bike sharing schemes in Hackney

Santander cycle hire

Users can pick up and return bikes from a London wide network of parking bays called ‘docking stations’. Santander docking stations in Hackney are generally found around Regent’s Canal, and in and around Victoria Park. You can find more information on the Santander cycles app or on TfL.

Bikes can be hired through a smartphone app and used in a similar fashion to Lime e-bikes.

You can download the Santander Cycles app from the Apple app store or Google Play.

See TfL’s website for more information on memberships and pricing.

What it costs

It costs £1.65 (same as a bus fare) for the first 30 minutes of each journey and £1.65 for each additional 30 minutes. E-bikes are £3.30 for the first 30 minutes.

There are monthly and annual memberships available and up to 50% membership discounts where using cycles to get to work; an NHS employee; or a student aged 18 or over.

Frequently asked questions

Cargo Bike Share

Cargo Bike Share is an on-street, on-demand, cargo bike hire service. The bikes are publically available so business, residents, and other members of the public can hire them in order to make deliveries, collect shopping, or conduct other errands.

The scheme is part of the Zero Emissions Network, a joint initiative between:

  • Hackney Council
  • Islington Council
  • Tower Hamlets Council

The scheme is supported by the Mayor of London and is run in collaboration with micro-mobility provider Beryl.

Request on-street cycle parking

To request new cycle parking locations for bike sharing schemes in the borough, see On-street cycle parking.

Page updated on: 13 June 2025