London's ambitious plan to expand its rental e-scooter network has hit a significant roadblock, with several major operators choosing to steer clear of the scheme. Transport for London (TfL) opened bidding for the next phase of its trial last week, but key players are snubbing the opportunity due to concerns over commercial viability and restrictive rules.
Leading Firms Cite Red Tape and Weak Demand
The procurement notice for the trial's third phase, which is scheduled to run until May 2028, dangles an estimated total turnover of £34.5 million for two operators. Despite this, industry leaders are unconvinced. Companies including Forest, Bolt, and Dott are unlikely to submit bids, City AM understands.
Forest, which operates thousands of rental bikes across the capital, is not expected to compete. Bolt and Dott, both of which run e-scooter services in other UK cities like Bristol and Nottingham, are also set to give the London trial a miss. Their reluctance stems from low usage figures and tight regulations, such as a mandatory driving licence and a speed cap of just 12.5mph.
Data Reveals Stark Contrast with E-Bike Popularity
The performance data from the trial's first two phases paints a clear picture of the challenge. Between 2021 and 2023, phase one recorded 3.3 million total trips. While phase two saw growth, the total only climbed to 3.9 million trips by 2025.
This pales in comparison to the booming e-bike market. Industry figures show that a typical rental e-bike is used for an average of three trips per day. In stark contrast, shared e-scooters are languishing at an average of just 0.3 rides per day – a tenfold difference in utilisation.
A Two-Horse Race and Calls for Legislative Certainty
This mass swerve sets the stage for a direct contest between the two incumbent giants: Lime and Voi. Lime remains bullish, viewing e-scooters as a low-cost addition to its dominant bike fleet. Voi, which has facilitated 1.2 million trips in London and markets itself as a more affordable option, has confirmed it will bid, calling the vehicles a “go-to option” for sustainable travel.
However, the broader industry is waiting for political action. James Bolton from Voi has previously warned that “the constant risk of the trials coming to an end with no legislation holds back investment and confidence in the UK.” Many are awaiting the passage of the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill through parliament, which could move e-scooters from a trial to a permanent system.
There is also a growing argument that the precious parking bay space reserved for e-scooters could be better used for bikes. Lime has suggested that a lack of parking leads to 30,000 'missed trips' for bikes every day in London, highlighting the ongoing competition for kerbside space in the capital's micromobility landscape.
