Hounslow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Hounslow Council has named Forest and Voi as exclusive operators for its new e-bike service, aiming to boost eco-friendly transport for residents.
On Monday, August 11, 2025, both contracts will go into effect.
This action comes after a competitive bidding process that was influenced by extensive community feedback from the Council’s e-bike scheme pilot and Kerbside Strategy consultation, which called for more individualized and reasonable pricing, quicker response times to resident issues, and stronger parking compliance.
Over 250 e-bike parking spaces are presently available in Hounslow, and the Council is examining enforcement protocols to keep pavements clear and deter inconsiderate parking.
In the borough, more than 1.7 million e-bike trips have been made since the program’s launch in 2023. There were around 30,000 active users and more than 127,000 journeys in June 2025 alone.
Among the modified scheme’s main advantages are:
Reduced costs: Specialized savings for local companies, citizens, and low-income customers.
Better parking: More stringent enforcement of designated bay use and cutting-edge technology.
Reduced speeds for novice motorcyclists, safety incentives, and induction training all contribute to safer riding.
Lighter models and e-bikes with child seats or load baskets are among the new e-bike alternatives.
24/7 bilingual customer service makes it accessible.
Eco-friendly operations: service automobiles with no emissions
Focus on the community: Collaborations with neighborhood associations and nearby apprenticeship programs.
To make sure the plan provides long-term value and promotes sustainable transportation throughout the borough, the Council will keep an eye on community input and performance.
How will the new operators improve parking enforcement compared to Lime?
The council emphasized enforcement improvements with the new operators to better ensure bikes are parked only in designated bays, aiming to keep pavements clear and prevent hazardous bike placements that were common complaints under Lime.
Forest and Voi will likely adopt operational standards that include notifying, warning, or fining users who park outside approved areas, similar or improved approaches compared to Lime’s efforts in London and other cities.
The change was driven by strong community feedback about parking and cost issues, so the new operators are expected to work closely with the council to meet local priorities for safe, accessible parking and service quality.