Richmond borough will officially begin its e-bike operator transition from Lime bike to Forest next week.

The Council has announced that the phased transition for the borough's hire e-bike service will take place from Monday, 1 June.

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: "Hire e-bikes are now part of everyday life in Richmond – helping people travel quickly, affordably, and sustainably.

"Residents told us they wanted to keep rental e-bikes but also wanted better management and better value. That feedback directly shaped this decision.

"We know many people currently use Lime, so we want residents to be clear about what's changing and when," Councillor Roberts said.

The Council say Forest and Lime are contacting users directly through their apps and notifications, and the Council will continue sharing updates locally as the transition gets underway.

The change follows Richmond Council's decision earlier this year to appoint Forest after a borough-wide consultation, public hearings with operators, and a detailed procurement process shaped by resident feedback.

From 1 June, Forest will begin operating in the borough and its bikes will start to appear on streets.

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Meanwhile, Lime will begin reducing the number of bikes as it winds down operations. Some Lime bikes may remain for a short period during the transition period.

Forest already operates in neighbouring boroughs such as Kingston upon Thames and Hounslow, with the Council hoping the switch to Forest will support more seamless journeys across London.

More than 1.5 million hire e-bike journeys were made in Richmond upon Thames last year alone, underlining how popular e-bike hire is within the borough.

Cllr Alexander Ehmann, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: "This is about securing a better deal for residents and taxpayers over the long term.

"Forest scored highest through the Council's evaluation process and already operates across neighbouring boroughs, making journeys simpler and more joined up.

"The new arrangement is expected to bring lower pricing, introductory offers, more consistent parking management, and a stronger overall service for residents.

"From 1 June, we're encouraging residents to make the switch and take advantage of the offers."

Users will be able to access bikes via the Forest app to locate, unlock and pay for rides, as well as redeem 30 ride minutes for £1 for every ride that starts in Richmond.

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To mark the launch, Forest is also offering Richmond residents an exclusive deal of 400 minutes for £13.99 a month throughout June.

READ MORE: Lime bikes to be banned in Richmond borough.

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