Hounslow Council Offers Reassurance on E-Bike Contracts

Says new providers will match Lime in numbers available for hire

Lime Bikes continue to predominate near Turnham Green station on the borough border

August 26, 2025

Hounslow Council is offering e-bike users in the borough assurances that its contract with new providers will not reduce the usefulness of the service.

It has issued a statement following recent media coverage and public concern over the transition from former operator Lime to new providers Voi and Forest. The move, which has attracted national attention, including coverage of Chiswick resident Daragh O Briain’s comparison of borough boundaries to “Checkpoint Charlie” due to Lime Bikes losing power when they cross over, has prompted questions about service continuity, parking issues, and travel restrictions.

In response, the council acknowledged that the scheme is in a transitional phase, with Forest and Voi gradually increasing the number of bikes available for hire. The combined fleet is expected to exceed 1,000 e-bikes, split evenly between the two operators, matching the scale of the previous provision. The council dismissed suggestions that bike availability will mainly be in the east of the borough. Provision has been divided into three geographic zones—Chiswick and Brentford; Isleworth, Hounslow, Osterley and Spring Grove; and Bedfont, Cranford, Feltham, Hanworth, and Heston—with contractual requirements ensuring minimum and maximum bike numbers in each area.

Concerns about reduced availability in the first week of the new contract were described as premature, with the council urging patience as deployment ramps up. Outside Turnham Green station, which is on the border of the boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow, there was only one Forest bike available alongside numerous Lime bikes. At a nearby bay behind St. Michael and All Angels Church, there were a small number of the new operators' bikes but, once again, they were outnumbered by Lime bikes.

Mainly Lime bikes are available outside Turnham Green station

The council also addressed the issue of cross-boundary travel, noting that users must end journeys within the operator’s designated service area. This has led to frustration for residents and visitors from neighbouring boroughs such as Richmond, where Voi and Forest do not operate. Popular destinations including Kew, Barnes and Richmond now require switching between providers, with an increased risk that a bike may not be available.

The council has pointed out that such fragmentation is not unique to Hounslow and reflects broader challenges across London. It is working with Transport for London and other boroughs to advocate for a pan-London approach to e-bike provision. In the meantime, operators are monitoring high-demand parking bays near borough boundaries and dispatching staff to manage and rebalance bikes.

It was also dismissive of claims made by Lime that Hounslow’s decision to dump it was driven by purely financial considerations and that it offered a superior service. The council says it made the switch following a competitive procurement process, with contracts awarded based on a 60:40 split between quality and price. Hounslow Council maintains that the evaluation included safety, service quality, and resident benefit.

To address concerns about mis-parked bikes, residents are encouraged by the council to report issues via operator apps or through FixMyStreet, which routes complaints to the appropriate provider.

As the new scheme beds in, the council says it remains committed to improving active travel options and ensuring that e-bike services are accessible, well-managed, and responsive to community needs.