Pashley's new Santander Cycles roll into London

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that the next generation of Santander Cycles have today arrived in London.

The first of the new bikes have rolled onto the capital͛s streets, with thousands set to join TfL's flagship cycle hire scheme over the next few years.

Pashley's all-new design offers improved handling, safety and comfort, alongside innovative smart technology.

Adrian Williams, Pashley Cycles CEO, said: "I am immensely proud of our team's achievement in successfully developing a completely new bicycle for London. It is a bicycle of exceptional quality, designed with the rider's safety and enjoyment in mind, whilst ensuring that maintenance and operating costs are kept to a minimum. Our team have worked in close partnership with Serco throughout the project to ensure that we deliver the world class public hire bike London deserves."

The new cycles will offer riders improved handling, safety and comfort, with a new gel saddle, lower frame, tyres with puncture prevention, new gear hub, improved front and rear Blaze lighting, and bluetooth.

The bikes have been built by England's longest established cycle manufacturer, Pashley Cycles in Stratford-upon-Avon, as part of an industrial team assembled by scheme operators Serco. They have been designed to be easier to ride and maintain, meaning more cycles will be available to hire more often and reduce maintenance costs.

Last year was a record-breaking year for Santander Cycles with an unprecedented 10.3m hires - 4.4 per cent up on 2015. This year there have been more than 8.7m hires, with five of the nine months beating year-on-year records for the number of journeys being made.

Upgraded Shimano brakes providing better stopping performance.

Lighting system is better positioned, brighter and more effective so that the cycles are much more visible to other road users.

Smaller wheels provide faster acceleration from standing start, especially important in urban traffic.

Mudguards have lower 'tails' and more of the rear wheel is covered, providing better protection for the rider in the wet.

Saddle includes new gel pads for improved rider comfort.

Saddle adjustment is much simpler with a new one-handed seat clamp.

New frame and fork geometry combines to provide better ride quality and improved manoeuvrability and increased comfort and safety for smaller riders, with a lower bottom bracket and frame step through height.