Hounslow Council’s move to replace Lime Bikes with Forest Bikes raises safety and inclusivity issues, as shorter riders report difficulties and safety risks with the new e-bike design, prompting planned modifications for better accessibility.
A recent decision by Hounslow Council to terminate its partnership with Lime Bikes has brought to light new safety concerns arising from the replacement e-bike provider, Forest Bikes. The council ended its two-year agreement with Lime in August, citing persistent complaints from residents about e-bikes being left obstructively on pavements and criticizing Lime’s high rental costs. Following this, contracts were awarded to Forest and Voi Bikes to bring a fresh approach intended to improve parking compliance, affordability, and rider safety.
However, some users have raised alarm over the design of Forest Bikes, particularly regarding saddle height. A female commuter from Isleworth, a town within Hounslow, told the Daily Mail that she finds Forest Bikes unsafe, stating they are “too high for anyone under 5’5”” to ride comfortably. The average height for women in the UK is around 5’3”, meaning many women may struggle to ride these bikes safely. She noted that while she frequently used Lime Bikes for commuting into central London, she now only rides Forest Bikes up to the borough border before switching back to Lime due to safety concerns. “I can’t touch the ground comfortably when stopping and it feels dangerous,” she said. The commuter also described this as feeling discriminatory, given that she is taller than average yet still cannot safely use the bikes.
This concern about seat height appears widespread among shorter riders. On social media platforms like Reddit, users under 5’5” have shared similar experiences, describing difficulty in mounting and balancing on Forest Bikes even with the saddle lowered fully. One user indicated that due to the heavy nature of the electric bike, balancing is especially precarious since the motor engages immediately when pedalling, making traditional mounting techniques risky. These riders have called for clearer height warnings or more inclusive bike designs.
Forest Bikes, formerly known as Human Forest, markets itself as London’s most affordable and sustainable shared e-bike service, offering incentives such as ten minutes of free cycling daily. The company concedes that about 20% of women surveyed earlier this year expressed concerns about seat height. Will Jansen, Forest’s Chief Operating Officer, stated that the firm takes such feedback seriously and is planning changes. “Over the coming months, we’ll be rolling out a redesigned seatpost system across our London fleet, with a wider height range and a new clamp that makes adjustments quicker and easier,” he said. This upgrade aims to make the bikes more accessible and safer for a broader range of users.
The transition from Lime Bikes to new suppliers is part of a broader effort by Hounslow to address longstanding issues with dockless e-bike schemes, which have seen difficulties across London boroughs. While Lime currently dominates the London market with an estimated 30,000 e-bikes, several councils, including Hounslow, have cited problems such as anti-social parking, safety concerns, and pricing dissatisfaction. Hounslow’s decision followed community feedback emphasizing the need for stronger parking enforcement and more affordable pricing. Official local government statements highlighted residents’ desire for “stronger parking compliance, faster response times to resident concerns, and more tailored and affordable pricing.”
The challenges involved in regulating dockless e-bikes extend beyond Hounslow. In central London, for example, both Lime and Forest e-bikes have been seized by authorities for blocking pavements, underscoring wider enforcement difficulties. The City of London Corporation impounded over 100 bikes due to parking violations, releasing them only after hefty fees were paid. This reflects ongoing tensions in balancing the benefits of shared e-bikes as a sustainable transport option with the practicalities of keeping sidewalks and public spaces accessible.
Moreover, Lime Bikes has faced criticism over safety. Medical professionals and media reports have highlighted incidents involving lower leg injuries linked to Lime’s heavier bike design. Such concerns fuel a growing public debate about the safety and urban impact of e-bike schemes, with some boroughs adopting partial or full bans and others imposing docking or parking requirements.
Despite these challenges, some riders report no issues with Forest Bikes. One user, 160cm (about 5’3”) tall, said they have taken over 500 rides in 2024 without experiencing problems. Another rider, shorter at 5’1”, stressed the need for manufacturers to consider inclusivity in design, given the risks heavier bikes pose when stopping or balancing at traffic lights.
Hounslow Council continues to monitor the situation closely. Having introduced a trial scheme with Lime Bikes featuring over 250 dedicated parking bays to reduce pavement clutter, the council remains focused on ensuring that e-bike services operate safely and respectfully in the community. The council’s spokesperson noted the competitive bidding process and emphasized the importance of a scheme that meets residents’ needs, combining safety, affordability, and sustainability.
As London boroughs grapple with these evolving transport options, the debate highlights the complexities of integrating new mobility technologies into dense urban environments. While e-bikes offer a greener alternative to traditional transport, the experiences in Hounslow demonstrate the necessity for careful design, regulation, and community engagement to ensure these schemes are genuinely beneficial and accessible for all users.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the article dated 9 September 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 4 August 2025, when Hounslow Council ended its partnership with Lime Bikes. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/lime-bikes-evicted-hounslow-chiswick-complaints-pavement-parking-forest-voi-b1241101.html?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([feeds.bbci.co.uk](https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cz93gdl42y8o?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The direct quotes from a female commuter and Forest’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jansen, are not found in earlier material, suggesting potential originality. However, similar concerns about e-bike safety and design have been reported in other sources.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([feeds.bbci.co.uk](https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cz93gdl42y8o?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The concerns about e-bike safety, particularly saddle height, are plausible and align with previous reports of similar issues. The transition from Lime to Forest and Voi in Hounslow is consistent with the council’s recent decisions. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/lime-bikes-evicted-hounslow-chiswick-complaints-pavement-parking-forest-voi-b1241101.html?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding e-bike safety concerns and Hounslow Council’s decision to end its partnership with Lime Bikes. While the report includes updated data, it recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The quotes from a female commuter and Forest’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jansen, are not found in earlier material, suggesting potential originality. However, similar concerns about e-bike safety and design have been reported in other sources. The source is a reputable UK newspaper, but the recycling of older material warrants caution. The concerns about e-bike safety, particularly saddle height, are plausible and align with previous reports of similar issues. The transition from Lime to Forest and Voi in Hounslow is consistent with the council’s recent decisions.
