Get me to the church on time

Marina Skrinar, age 32, lives in Haringey and uses Santander Cycles for convenience – and when she’s in a rush…

I love cycling when…

“…it's a spontaneous decision: it's nice when you don't have to worry about all the gear, which is why I love Santander Cycles. Sunshine also helps.

My favourite route…

“…is from Sadler’s Wells to Clissold Park, using a cunning wiggly back route.

Work, leisure or both?

“Both! I regularly cycle to work and at the weekends. I have also often leapt onto a Santander Cycle when late for a meeting. They are also the best way for me to get to the theatres and cinemas I visit most regularly.

I'm lucky enough to be taken to the Barbican quite often to see plays, concerts and films but I'm stupid enough to usually leave work with very little time to get there... After quite a lot of trial and error I can confirm that Santander Cycle is the quickest way to get from Embankment to the Barbican.

The advantages of cycling for me...

“It's often the quickest way around and lets me get exercise without having to pay for the gym. It also means you get to see parts of London that you simply can't when you're on the bus or tube. I have two bikes at home but also use Santander Cycles when my plans change.

“I think cycling is undoubtedly the best way to really get to know London. I have lived here for a while, but it was only when I started cycling that I actually began to realise how the geography of London works and that actually, everything is really very close to everything else.

My cycle style...

“…can be quite eccentric if the road's quiet: I like singing as I ride.

My cycle advice…

“Put yourself in the driver's shoes. What can she or he see (or not) and where do they expect you to be?

What’s your favourite Santander Cycle memory?

“During the last Tube strike my husband and I had to get to my mum's wedding and we left a lot of time – in fact enough time to walk (though we couldn't do that because of my shoes!). We used bus, black cab, mini cab, then walking then running but it was Santander Cycles that finally got us there (with literally no minutes to spare)!”