FIA Formula 1TM World Champion and Santander ambassador, Jenson Button MBE, today joined the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Steve Coventry, scheme partners’ nextbike, MKCCM and Milton Keynes Council and other local dignitaries to celebrate the successful launch of the UK’s newest cycle hire scheme, Santander Cycles MK.
Riding a specially adapted Santander Cycles MK tandem bike, Jenson spent time enjoying a ride around Willen Lake alongside invited media, guests, Santander staff and local residents. Following this, Jenson visited Santander’s Head Office in Milton Keynes to meet those involved with the scheme and encourage others to get on-board.
In just 2 weeks since launching, already over 5,000 people have registered to use the scheme, with hires exceeding 7,000.
Plans are already underway to extend the scheme from the current 42 docking stations and 300 bikes to 50 stations and 512 bikes by the end of the year following the successful launch. Plans will take into account the expertise of scheme operator nextbike, comments from users and residents and feedback received so far.
Adam Bishop, Divisional Managing Director of Santander UK said: “The reaction to Santander Cycles MK has been really positive. Whilst we of course have to continue to work hard to embed the scheme, we are delighted with how things have started and look forward to helping people get a little bit more out of Milton Keynes through the cycle hire scheme going forward. Having Jenson join us before he heads off to Silverstone, someone who is an enthusiastic and dedicated cyclist himself, is a great demonstration of support for the scheme as we seek to encourage more people to experience the benefits of cycling.”
Jenson Button added: “I’m a really passionate cyclist, so it is great to see schemes like Santander Cycles MK. Cycling is a great way to get around, keeps you active and is good fun; I hope more people in Milton Keynes will embrace cycling thanks to Santander Cycles MK.”
Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Steve Coventry said: “I’m really pleased to see Santander Cycles MK getting off to a good start. As one of the fastest growing areas in the UK, sustainable transport is a real focus for Milton Keynes. Santander Cycles MK is an important addition in supporting our objectives in that space.”
Melanie Beck, City Centre Manager, Milton Keynes City Centre Management (MKCCM) and Julian Scriven, Managing Director, nextbike UK added: “Having worked closely together, alongside Santander, to get this scheme off the ground, we are delighted to see the response so far. Santander Cycles MK is a tremendous addition to Milton Keynes and we hope it will provide employees, residents and visitors with a simple, sustainable and enjoyable way of travelling around this vibrant city.”
www.santandercyclesmk.co.uk is the official website where people can register for the scheme, find out how it all works and where docking stations are located.
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Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. It has brought real competition to the UK, through its 1|2|3 products for retail customers and relationship banking model for UK SMEs. As at 31 December 2015, Santander UK was one of the most switched to banks. The bank serves more than 14 million active customers with c. 20,000 employees and operates through 857 branches and 70 regional Corporate Business Centres. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK. Santander UK plc customers are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.
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