Richmond gears up for switch to new, borough-wide hire e-bike operator

Residents across Richmond upon Thames will soon see changes to the borough’s hire e-bike service, as Forest becomes the official operator from Monday (1 June), as a phased transition begins.

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: “Hire e-bikes are now part of everyday life in Richmond – helping people travel quickly, affordably, and sustainably.

“Residents told us they wanted to keep rental e-bikes but also wanted better management and better value. That feedback directly shaped this decision.

“We know many people currently use Lime, so we want residents to be clear about what’s changing and when,” Councillor Roberts said.

Forest and Lime are contacting users directly through their apps and notifications, and the Council will continue sharing updates locally as the transition gets underway.

The change follows the Council’s decision earlier this year to appoint Forest after a borough-wide consultation, public hearings with operators, and a detailed procurement process shaped by resident feedback.

From Monday (1 June), Forest will begin operating in the borough and its bikes will start to appear on streets. At the same time, Lime will begin reducing the number of bikes as it winds down operations. Some Lime bikes may remain for a short period during the transition period.

Forest already operates in every borough surrounding Richmond, supporting more seamless journeys across London and many residents already use Forest elsewhere. More than 1.5 million hire e-bike journeys were made in Richmond upon Thames last year alone, underlining how widely the scheme is now used.

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: “This is about securing a better deal for residents and taxpayers over the long term.

“Forest scored highest through the Council’s evaluation process and already operates across neighbouring boroughs, making journeys simpler and more joined up. The new arrangement is expected to bring lower pricing, introductory offers, more consistent parking management, and a stronger overall service for residents.

“From 1 June, we’re encouraging residents to make the switch and take advantage of the offers.”

Users will be able to access bikes via the Forest app to locate, unlock and pay for rides, as well as redeem 30 ride minutes for £1 for every ride that starts in Richmond. To mark the launch, Forest is also offering Richmond residents an exclusive deal of 400 minutes for £13.99 a month throughout June.

How to switch to Forest

Residents planning to continue using hire e-bikes in Richmond upon Thames should:

• Download the Forest app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
• Create or log into a Forest account
• Check the app for introductory offers and pricing
• Use the app to find and unlock bikes across Richmond and neighbouring boroughs