Richmond Council Weighs E-Bike Operator Switch, Potentially Banning Lime
E-bikes have become a popular and eco-friendly mode of transport across London, but a competitive clash between operators might soon reduce options for cyclists in west London. Richmond Council has revealed it is evaluating a proposal that could see the neon-green Lime bikes, a major player in London's e-bike market, replaced by the darker green competitor, Forest.
Forest Outbids Lime in Council Tender
Under the proposal, Forest would secure an exclusive three-year contract as Richmond's only e-bike provider after outbidding Lime in a council tender. The council's procurement process awarded Forest the highest score based on criteria such as service quality, pricing, and value for taxpayers. If approved by councillors, this move could lead to a ban on Lime bikes in the borough.
Lime currently operates in Richmond, where riders completed over 1.5 million trips in 2025 alone, according to reports. The company has expressed concerns about the potential exit, warning of unintended consequences for users. These might include cyclists entering from adjacent areas only to face penalties for illegal parking due to the ban.
Inconsistent E-Bike Rules Across London Boroughs
Forest has stated it won the Richmond tender fair and square, suggesting possible benefits or offers for riders once its bikes are deployed. This situation highlights the chaotic nature of e-bike regulations in London, where rules vary by borough. Each local authority independently licenses operators, creating a patchwork system where riders can freely traverse one neighbourhood but encounter restrictions at the next boundary. In some cases, e-bikes even deactivate when entering prohibited zones.
This is not the first conflict between Lime and Forest; a similar dispute occurred less than a year ago in Hounslow, where Forest outbid Lime and the council imposed a borough-wide ban on Lime bikes. The decision now rests with Richmond's transport committee, which is scheduled to discuss the bid in an upcoming meeting.
