Sadiq Khan has announced he’s planning to make Boris Bikes across the capital more expensive for the first time in nine years. In a new press release this afternoon, Sadiq revealed the £2 charge per 24 hours will be scrapped next month, replaced by a £1.65 pay-per-ride system, spinning as a price decrease. Meaning those using the bikes to commute to and from work will now pay at least £3.30, rather than £2…

The ‘good’ news is he’s simultaneously adding 500 e-bikes to the fleet, although those will cost £3.30 per ride, and will initially be limited to those registered to the monthly or annual scheme. By the way, the annual membership is rising from £90 to £120…

Inevitably, Sadiq is actually spinning all this as a positive step towards encouraging more people to cycle:

“I’m determined to continue building a cleaner, greener London for everyone and this includes making cycling as accessible as possible […] The new Santander Cycles e-bikes will play an important role in helping to break down some of the barriers that stop people from getting on a bike, including fitness, age and length of journey.”

Encouraging people to cycle by making it more expensive during a cost of living crisis. Peddling nonsense like this still comes free of charge…