‘Dockless’ electric bikes you can park anywhere launch in London

Electric-powered bikes you can park anywhere after a ride are launching in London tomorrow.

California-based company Lime will be dropping off its "dockless" Lime-E bikes in Brent and Ealing, with 1,000 expected in the two London boroughs by the end of the month.

Painted a distinctive green, the e-bikes can be unlocked by Lime app users for £1, with a 15p surcharge for every minute of use.

Users then simply discard the bike when they have completed their journey, switching the lock back on.

General manager for Lime UK, Jaanaki Momaya, said: “We believe our emission-free, affordable, accessible and convenient e-bikes will revolutionise transport around London.”

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council and chair of London Council’s transport and environment committee, called the e-bikes “a vital part of our strategy for reducing emissions, improving air quality and protecting the environment”.

The Lime-E bikes are GPS-enabled, with self-activated unlocking and an electric battery capable of taking the bike to top speeds of 14.8mph.

Their London launch follows hot on the heels of Lime’s earlier e-bike launch in Milton Keynes.