Transport for London (TfL) and Santander are marking 15 years of cycle hire in the capital with a photography competition celebrating London's beauty.

Since launching in July 2010 with just over 300 docking stations, the Santander Cycles scheme has become a familiar sight across the city.

Now with more than 12,000 bikes, including 2,000 electric ones, at over 800 locations it's helping millions get around the capital in a healthy, green and affordable way.

To mark the anniversary, TfL and Santander are asking Londoners to send in photos of Santander bikes in action.

There are 15 prizes up for grabs, including a free annual Santander Cycles membership, tickets to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum, and a special breakfast reception at the museum on 6 November.

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: "For 15 years, TfL's cycle hire scheme has supported Londoners in choosing cleaner, healthier travel.

"This is a great way to celebrate – and show off the brilliant places you can discover by bike."

TfL is also partnering with the Natural History Museum to help judge the entries.

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A first-prize winner will even receive five tickets to a private breakfast event at the museum before it opens to the public.

The deadline to submit your photo is 10 September. To enter, simply email your snap to [email protected].

Alongside the competition, TfL is promoting a set of themed cycling routes called 'Side Quests', a fun self-guided rides that take in everything from thrift shops to brutalist architecture.

You can access the routes via a dedicated website or QR codes on the bikes themselves.

Earlier this year, TfL doubled the Santander Cycles day pass ride time to an hour and lowered the cost of using e-bikes.

With five million hires already made this year, up six per cent from 2024, Santander Cycles continue to be in enjoyed in the capital.