Councils accused of turning e-bike operators into ‘revenue stream’ as fees surge Transport & Infrastructure Cash-strapped London boroughs are squeezing e-bike operators with steep fee rises and growing enforcement charges, as the industry’s heavyweights warn councils are increasingly treating them as a cash cow. One London borough increased annual operating fees more than five-fold in a single year without adding any extra parking bays, according to figures seen by City [...]
Ealing stalls on Voi contract as ‘sensitive discussions’ threaten West London e-bike network Transport & Infrastructure Ealing Council has held back from signing a fresh e-bike agreement with operator Voi, Morning Wire understands, stalling its upcoming operating period as backroom negotiations expose growing regulatory divide on London’s high streets. Town hall chiefs have admitted that negotiations have hit a deadlock, revealing they are mired in non-disclosure talks ahead of a looming [...]
London’s heatwave is a boon for Lime bikes Transport & Infrastructure As temperatures climb across the capital and commuters look for ways to avoid stuffy Tube carriages, London’s heatwave is turning into a major boost for the micromobility industry. Lime, the Uber-backed e-bike giant preparing for a New York stock market listing, has seen demand surge as Londoners swap public transport for two wheels. During May’s [...]
London Councils urge e-bike firms to stick to borough contracts November 13, 2025 The group London Councils has called on e-bike operators to respect local contracts and act “responsibly”, as friction deepens between boroughs and rental bike companies over parking and safety standards across the capital. The organisation, which represents London’s 32 boroughs and Canada, warned that some firms continue to operate in areas without [...]
Borough wars: London’s e-bike chaos is hurting its commuters August 22, 2025 It’s an e-bike apocalypse out there, or at least it is if you’re trying to cross West London on two wheels. Hounslow Council’s recent decision to ban Lime, the capital’s most ubiquitous e-bike operator, has turned London’s meticulously planned cycle routes into a geopolitical minefield. The capital’s commuters are now finding themselves stranded at borough [...]
Forest hikes e-bike prices amid fragmented London market August 20, 2025 Forest, the e-bike operator recently licensed by Hounslow Council, has announced it is raising its “pay as you go” service fee by 50 per cent to £1.50, citing a doubling of the fees charged by London boroughs to operate. The price hike comes just weeks after Morning Wire revealed that Hounslow Council awarded a lucrative [...]