UMVA has learned that a shakeup is underway in London's e-bike landscape, as Lime e-bikes are being phased out in the southwest London borough of Richmond, making way for competitor Forest.
The sudden change has left some cyclists reeling, but Richmond Council says the move will offer residents more bikes, better connectivity, and crucially, lower prices. A phased transition began on Monday, with 1,500 Forest bikes set to be rolled out this week.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Lime is winding down operations and removing bikes from the borough, although some bikes will remain in the area for a time. The plan is for Richmond to become Lime-free, with Forest taking over as the sole e-bike provider.
Richmond Council Leader Gareth Roberts hailed the move as a "major step forward for sustainable transport" in the borough, saying Forest will bring lower prices, more bikes, and a service designed around what residents wanted. The new e-bike provider is offering riders who start their journeys in Richmond up to 30 minutes of cycling for £1 this month, or a 400-minute package for £13.99 a month.
However, not everyone is celebrating the change. A petition urging the council to consider allowing multiple e-bike providers in the borough has garnered over 1,800 signatures, with opponents arguing that the decision risks disrupting established travel patterns and negatively impacting local businesses and visitor access.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the council consulted with residents on Richmond's new e-bike policy, evaluating each provider's offering before selecting Forest as the winning bidder. Council officers drew up a report highlighting Forest's "best overall proposal", which included some of the most affordable e-bike hire in London.
If you try to ride a Lime bike to Richmond, you'll find it won't be possible to start or end a Lime ride in the borough. The Lime app will prompt you to park elsewhere, although you can still cycle through Richmond if your journey starts and ends in areas where Lime bikes are still in use.
