How the scheme works
Getting started
The E-Bike Scheme will work the same way as before, only with different e-bikes. To get started, download the Forest and Voi apps to your smartphone. Users must be 18 years and over.
Users can locate and hire an e-bike using the operator apps. You can reserve a bike for free or simply walk up to an available e-bike and scan the QR code using the app to begin your rental.
Payment options
Users can pay-as-you-go (by the minute) or get large discounts by purchasing a minute bundle or subscription in advance. Both Forest and Voi offer several bundle/subscription options, depending on how often and how long you’re riding for, with pricing starting from as little as 6-7p per minute. Please visit the operators’ apps for more information on pricing.
Additional discounts for eligible residents include the following:
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Forest: Friends of the Forest programme offers 20% rides for NHS workers, emergency service heroes, students, and anyone over 60. This discount applies to pay-as-you-go pricing and doesn’t apply to bundles or subscriptions. Contact Forest to apply and prove eligibility.
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Voi: Equitable Access Programmes offer bespoke discounts for several groups. Voi4All: Disadvantaged users, including low-income individuals, refugees, asylum seekers, people with disabilities, and those aged 65 and over, are eligible for up to 75% discount on passes and subscriptions. Voi4Heroes: NHS workers, emergency services, Blue Light Card holders, Armed Forces, and veterans are eligible for up to 50% discount on passes and subscriptions. Voi4Students: Students, apprentices and staff at higher education institutions qualify for a 20% discount on passes and subscriptions. Contact Voi to apply and prove eligibility.
Parking properly
All users ending a trip in Hounslow must park in one of the 250+ e-bike parking bays across the borough, which are visible on the operator apps and marked with pavement markings. Both operators use geofencing technology and AI-assisted ride-end procedures to help ensure compliance with permitted parking areas.
Users who leave an e-bike outside of a designated parking bay in Hounslow will receive a warning and education from the operator. Repeated violations will result in fines and may lead to the user being suspended or banned from the scheme.
Learn how to report mis-parked e-bikes on the Hounslow E-Bike Scheme page.
Travelling between boroughs
When travelling into and out of Hounslow, E-Bike Scheme users must plan accordingly by noting the operator service areas and parking regulations in neighbouring boroughs.
E-bike parking rules may differ in neighbouring boroughs. When ending your trip outside of Hounslow, please follow the parking instructions on the operators’ apps.
If the e-bike you’re riding does not have a service agreement to operate in a borough, you will not be able to ride into or end an e-bike trip in that borough.
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Forest currently operates in Hounslow, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Camden, Islington, Haringey, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, and Kingston Upon Thames.
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Voi currently operates in Hounslow, Ealing, Kensington & Chelsea, Hackney, Southwark, and Barking & Dagenham.
The service area map below shows where Forest and Voi are currently operating. The operators are actively seeking opportunities to expand their service areas.
