E-bike rental scheme

Hounslow E-Bike Scheme

Hounslow’s E-Bike Scheme enables residents and visitors to hire shared electric bikes (e-bikes) via the e-bike operators’ smartphone apps. We have created a network of over 250 dedicated e-bike parking bays where scheme users can hire a bike and end their trip.

Since the scheme began in 2023, over 2 million e-bike trips have been taken in the borough. The E-Bike Scheme was made permanent in February 2025 following a comprehensive review of the borough’s e-bike parking bays. Learn more about the parking bay review process on the E-Bike Scheme history page.

There are a range of pricing options and discounted ride passes to suit different travel needs and budgets. Whether you’re travelling to work, connecting to public transport, off to the shops or exploring Hounslow’s open spaces, the E-Bike Scheme can get you there in a fast, healthy and sustainable way.

Learn more on the How the scheme works page.

New e-bike operators

We have appointed two new operators, Forest and Voi, to deliver exclusively the e-bike rental service in the borough. Both contracts began on Monday, 11 August 2025. As part of this process, we have formally ended Lime’s e-bike operations.   

This move follows a fair, transparent and competitive procurement process, which was shaped by community feedback from the Kerbside Strategy consultation and E-Bike Scheme trial requesting stronger parking compliance, faster response times to resident concerns and more tailored and affordable pricing. The contract award was based on a combination of both quality (60%) and price (40%), with clear evaluation criteria that included safety, service quality and resident benefit.

Learn more about the e-bike operator transition on the FAQ page.

Reporting mis-parked e-bikes

As of 11 August 2025, only Forest and Voi e-bikes are permitted to end a trip in parking bays in Hounslow. Lime are no longer permitted to start or end rides in the borough. E-scooters are not currently permitted in Hounslow. E-bikes and e-scooters from any operator that are found abandoned in Hounslow can be reported.

Please report mis-parked Forest and Voi e-bikes directly to the operators using the contact info below. E-bike issues can be also reported via Fix My Street. These reports will be sent directly to the e-bike operator for resolution.

Forest
Voi

Our operator contracts sets out strict service level agreements for operators to ensure parking compliance and collect mis-parked e-bikes in a timely manner. We have also developed a Dockless E-Bike Enforcement Procedure to tackle poor parking.

Please report any abandoned Lime bike or non-compliant e-bike via Fix My Street. These reports will be sent to the operator and Hounslow Highways, who are collecting these bikes and charging the operator a fee for their collection and storage.

General enquiries about the E-Bike Scheme can be sent to: Traffic@hounslow.gov.uk

Open consultations

Proposed Bay Relocation: Sherborne Road (Bedfont Ward)

Background

Officers continually monitor feedback on the e-bike scheme from residents, businesses, and Councillors. The proposed relocation of the Sherborne Road e-bike bay was prompted by a series of complaints from a local resident who noted that due to the bay’s location on a relatively narrow carriageway, any mis-parked e-bike (e.g., a bike protruding beyond the bay into the carriageway) can obstruct drivers. The resident has had trouble accessing their street, which has been particularly distressing to them due to caregiving duties for a family member requiring frequent transport to/from medical appointment.  

The Sherborne Road bay forms a crucial part of the e-bike parking bay network in Bedfont – if the bay is removed without replacement, there would be a large gap in the network. This presents risks such as user dissatisfaction, reduced usage, and potential increases in abandoned e-bikes if users cannot find a suitable bay near their destination. As such, in the first instance, officers worked closely with the operators Forest and Voi to address the issue of mis-parked bikes, including a number of operator commitments. However, officers consider that a relocation may still be necessary. 

We therefore reviewed the resident’s request to relocate the e-bike bay to Grovestile Waye. Officers completed an engineering review of alternative locations and recommend proceeding with the location suggested by the resident. Officers then consulted Bedfont Ward Councillors, who agreed with the proposed relocation.  

What is proposed?

The existing e-bike parking bay on Sherborne Road would be removed. This space would become a shared use parking bay. A new e-bike parking bay would then be installed on Grovestile Waye, approximately 55 metres north of the existing location. The new e-bike bay would replace two existing shared use parking bays on Grovestile Waye. As such, this proposal would result in a net loss of one shared use parking bay in the area.  

Download a plan drawing showing the proposed relocation

You can find the exact locations on www.what3words.com by searching:

How to provide feedback

The statutory consultation period opens on Friday 15 May 2026 and runs until 5 June 2026. Any comments in relation to the proposal should be received by no later than 5 June 2026. 

If you are unaware, a formal (statutory) consultation is a process whereby the council advertises its proposal to introduce or amend restrictions on the public highway which, in this case, will be the proposed relocation of an e-bike parking bay. The consultation process includes notices being posted on-street, on the council’s website and in The London Gazette advising of the council’s proposal. Notices relating to the formal consultation can be viewed via Traffic notices | London Borough of Hounslow.

During the consultation, any person can submit comments (quoting the reference TMO/P020/26) in relation to the proposals and these can be submitted in writing, via the details shown at the top of this letter, or email, via trafficorders@hounslow.gov.uk  

Comments can be submitted individually or as part of a wider group and any that cannot be resolved by officers will be considered by the Assistant Director of Transport and Parking in consultation with your local ward councillors and the Portfolio Holder.  

What happens next?

The outcome and any decision(s) taken upon completion of the statutory consultation process will be published on the Council’s e-bike website, along with a proposed works programme.  

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the team via the details shown below: 

  • Your contact is: PJ Bell 
  • Contact Number: 020 8583 3322  
  • E-mail: traffic@hounslow.gov.uk  
  • Our ref: TMO/P020/26

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