After moving to London last week, I experienced a whirlwind of first-time experiences, from commuting on the tube to adjusting to a city where walking everywhere isn't feasible. Starting a new job added to the learning curve.
Choosing a Lime Bike over public transport
When I found myself in Hackney, an hour and a half away from home on public transport, I decided to try a Lime Bike for the first time in about 10 years. Cycling doesn't come naturally to me, but I thought I'd take it slow, inspired by the white-shirt-clad professionals racing into Central London daily on these bikes.
What I found was a mixture of adrenaline and joy as I navigated the streets of Hackney on a topsy-turvy journey home.
Struggles with finding a working bike
Before the ride, I struggled to find a functioning bike in a bay of about five. My first choice had a punctured tyre, pointed out by a passer-by. The second had a dead battery. The third finally worked.
Once I adjusted the seat on the stiff lock, I was off, unprepared for the motor's acceleration but quickly getting used to Lime's propulsion.
Cycling in London: hills and cycleways
Being from Nottingham, which is hilly, I appreciated London's lack of hills. When there was one, it was a breeze to shoot up. The route was cycle-friendly, with available cycleways helping me navigate through more experienced Lime bikers.
Yet every time I stopped, I recalled the 2025 headlines about 'Lime Bike leg' – a term popularised after Londoners sustained broken limbs from the 35 kg bikes falling on them. This kept me cautious at every red light.
Dangers on the road: Suron e-bikes and traffic
These headlines made me wary of dangers on North London streets: other cyclists speeding past, buses and 4x4s cruising dangerously close, leaving me no more than 3ft of highway to balance on.
One specific danger was the dreaded 'Suron' e-bike drivers, reaching up to 60 mph in some cases, speeding past innocent cyclists with no regard for road etiquette. Balaclava-clad teenagers on these bikes made green spaces and cycle lanes more hazardous than anticipated.
Final thoughts on Lime bikes
When I reached the safety of my destination – Finsbury Park, slightly hotter than when I started – I thought that while it may not be my last Lime Bike ride, it was likely the longest I'll ever take. Public transport is great, but for those in a sticky situation without a compromise, a Lime might be the answer – but maybe not for me, just yet.
