Southwark will become the second London borough to introduce a price cap on e-bike rentals, offering residents and key workers 20-minute rides on Lime, Voi and Forest for a maximum of £1.75. The deal, negotiated by Southwark Council, mirrors a similar initiative launched in Hackney last September that made Lime bikes as cheap as bus fares.
Price cap and savings for riders
Under the new agreement, 20-minute trips on the three major e-bike operators will cost riders no more than £1.75. This represents a significant saving compared to current pay-as-you-go rates, which can reach up to £7 for the same ride, according to the council. The cap applies specifically to residents and key workers in the borough.
James McAsh, leader of Southwark Council, said the new agreement would be monitored to “make sure the deal works for people in Southwark.” He added: “It’s vital that people in our borough benefit from e-bikes and also have protections in place to make sure they are used properly.”
Pavement parking enforcement and noise reduction
Southwark Council is also cracking down on pavement parking. The e-bike companies have agreed to fund enforcement and reporting channels for residents, so that e-bikes left on pavements can be removed quickly. Additionally, the agreement includes a clause requiring electric bike alarms to be turned off at night to reduce noise disturbance for locals.
The measures aim to address common complaints about e-bike misuse while encouraging sustainable transport use. A total of 8.2 million e-bike trips were made in Southwark in 2025, with usage in the borough increasing by 356 percent over the last two years, according to the council.
Implementation timeline
Exactly when Southwark’s new e-bike deal for residents and key workers will come into effect is yet to be confirmed. The council said it will monitor the agreement to ensure it works for people in the borough.
