Cyclists can explore the sights of London on two wheels this weekend for free thanks to a Santander Cycles scheme by Transport for London (TfL).

To celebrate the sixth anniversary of the bike hire scheme, formerly known as Boris Bikes, Londoners can get unlimited journeys up to 30 minutes free of charge using the code FREE2016.

Thanks to TfL and Santander, the shareable code can be used this weekend from midnight on Saturday (August 13) until 11.59pm on Sunday (August 14).

Riders can enter the code on their Santander app or at the docking station terminal and explore the sights of the capital.

getwestlondon has looked at just how far you can get cycling in the free time slot from various rental points.

Where to cycle in half an hour

  • If you're an experienced rider you can make it from Westfield London to Buckingham Palace in little less than 30 minutes

  • Or why not go on a tour of London's parks from Kensington Palace Gardens through Hyde Park to Green Park in 15 minutes, or go for the round-trip in half an hour?

  • If you're looking to tie in sightseeing with culture then a museum tour could be right up your street. Ride from The British Museum to The Imperial War Museum in 15 minutes. Stop off for a visit, and then jump back on another Santander Cycle to The Natural History Museum and neighbouring Science Museum. During this ride you will pass several landmarks including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and pedal through Hyde Park.

  • For a nice simple ride, get down to Regent's Park and hire a bike to cruise around the grounds where there are at least three Santander Cycle stops at The Tennis Courts; Albany Street and Longford Street. Hop-on and hop-off with the unlimited free 30 minute rides.

  • For a scenic ride along the River Thames if you're near Lots Road in Chelsea, hop on a bike and pedal along the water to Albert Embankment in less than 20 minutes. Jump on another bike and continue along the Thames to Southbank and London Bridge.

Map of Santander Cycle docking stations across London

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says the scheme has been a huge success and hopes the free weekend of cycling will get more people enjoying the healthy activity.

Mr Khan said: “The scheme has played an important role in encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to cycle and it has allowed Londoners and tourists to get around the capital and see new parts of our great city.

“I hope that this free weekend of cycling gets even more people enjoying cycling, encouraging Londoners to make it part of their everyday lives.”

Watch Jessica Ennis-Hill launch Santander bikes in April 2015.

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Since the London cycle hire scheme was launched with Barclays in 2010, more than 52 million journeys have been made on the bikes.

There are 11,500 bikes, more than 785 docking stations and in excess of 21,000 docking points situated every 300 to 500 metres from Camden Town in the north to Battersea in the south and Stratford in the east to Shepherd's Bush in the west.

Paul Cowperthwaite, TfL's general manager of Santander Cycles, said: “For six years, London's cycle hire scheme has been making life easier for Londoners and visitors wanting to get around the city.

“It has also encouraged many people to take up cycling for the first time. To mark this, we're pleased to be able to offer a free weekend and encourage new users to try out the scheme.”

July 2016 was a record month with 1,188,428 bikes hired and also had a record-breaking weekend over July 30 and 31, 2016 when the Prudential RideLondon was held with 92,527 hires, beating May's record of 89,833.

Keith Moor, chief marketing officer at Santander UK, added: “There really is something very special about exploring London on a Santander Cycle and for this weekend, it's also free!

“It's another example of the excitement we have brought to the scheme and gives people the opportunity to see and experience London in a different light.”

To register or for more information visit the Santander Cycles website .