Hounslow Council’s partnership with Lime bikes has now seen the scheme extend boroughwide to Heston, Cranford, Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth.
Published: Thursday, 21st September 2023
Local residents and visitors can hire the shared e-bikes and enjoy the benefits that cycling can bring, from improved health to cleaner air.
The trial e-bike scheme launched in phases across the borough with the first phase having launched in June in Chiswick and Brentford, the second phase in Isleworth and Osterley in July with an average of almost 50,000 trips per month, proving it to be a popular mode of transport.
As part of the new scheme, Lime is offering 50 per cent off the cost of e-bike rides for lower income residents via its Lime Access programme. The programme provides eligible riders - including concession pass holders, key workers, students and the unemployed - with unlimited discounts with Lime, helping them to get where they need to go in a safe, sustainable and affordable way.
Hal Stevenson, Lime's Director of Policy for UK and Ireland, said: "We're really pleased with the impact our new bike service is having in Hounslow, helping residents and visitors to the borough make more sustainable transport choices and boosting connectivity and accessibility across the area.
“The demand for our service is clear and we are excited to have now expanded the scheme across Hounslow. We continue to work closely with officers to address any issues with poor parking or antisocial behaviour as they are raised."
Councillor Katherine Dunne, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport said: “It is great to see the up take in the scheme so far as cycling has so many benefits - from supporting people’s health and wellbeing, to easing traffic and improving air quality.
“We are a Council that listens and after feedback from our residents on the first two phases of the launch, we asked Lime to redouble their efforts to address unsocial and unsafe use of their bikes in Hounslow and Lime have committed more resource to tackling this issue which has resulted in compliance at up to 93 per cent and a decline in complaints.
“This is a trial scheme and I would like to encourage residents to fill out our recently launched parking and kerbside strategy consultation to provide feedback on the scheme and help shape our vision to reimagine our streets.”
To practise responsible parking, users are required to park the e-bikes at mandatory parking zones located around the borough which are marked out either on a footway or a carriageway. Riders are required to take a mandatory end of trip photo, which are all reviewed.
If users choose to abandon their ride outside of a bay, they will be fined by the operator. Repeat occurrences will result in the user being banned from the scheme. Issues regarding abandoned bikes, suspected hacking attempts, noise and other operational issues should be reported to support@li.me in the first instance, who will be best placed to respond. This email address is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Council officers will be monitoring feedback on the scheme throughout the trial and working closely with Lime to address any concerns.
