There are 50,000 hire bikes in London – but which is the best?
Electric bikes have taken over London’s streets, with some 50,000 now available for hire across the capital. From Lime’s ubiquitous green rides to Forest’s environmentally conscious option, and TfL’s sturdy e-Boris bikes, it’s safe to say Londoners are spoilt for choice. But how do these three stack up?
To find out, a group of us from The Standard set off from Finsbury Square, riding across the Embankment to Hyde Park, and putting each bike to the test. Lime was by far the easiest to find – there’s seemingly one on every corner. Its large fleet (believed to number around 30,000) and presence in 17 boroughs makes it incredibly accessible.
Forest, on the other hand, was trickier. We had to hunt for one several streets from Hyde Park. And while some bikes were clearly parked inside the park, Forest’s “geofencing” rules meant we couldn’t hire or pause a ride there without triggering alarms and brake locks.
TfL’s e-Boris bikes can be hired from 800 docking stations and are three times more popular than their manual predecessors. But the hiring process was infuriating. Though we stood in front of several e-bikes at Hyde Park Corner, we could only unlock the manual ones. It turns out e-Boris bikes must be hired via the Santander Cycles app or by becoming a member – information that was nowhere to be found at the docking station.
Costs varied wildly. Lime offered a £6.99 “60-minute pass”, which saved us nearly £17 compared to their per-minute rates. Forest charges £6 for an hour – cheaper than Lime – but only if you buy a “bundle” in advance. We forgot, and paid £13.50 for our 50-minute ride. TfL recently dropped the price of an e-bike to £3, but we were charged £3.50 for a day pass and two further £1.65 fees while fumbling through the hiring process.
In terms of ride quality, there was no unanimous favourite. The e-Boris bike, built by Pashley in Nottingham, was the lightest and best constructed, with three gears and a relaxed, upright position. But its saddle was the least comfortable. Forest bikes had the comfiest saddle but felt the heaviest. Lime’s curved handlebars split opinion – not everyone enjoyed the “Dutch bike” feel.
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Unfortunately, our test ride ended on a sour note. One of our team members took a corner too fast, crashed, and had to visit A&E. Another team member, unable to brake in time, piled into them. Cuts, bruises and mild concussions followed – a stark reminder that these bikes are fast and heavy, and riding in groups demands vigilance.
Helmets aren’t provided, and while not legally required, the Highway Code does recommend them. Forest “strongly advises” their use, but riders are largely left to their own devices.
Safety concerns linger. In 2024 alone, ten cyclists died in London – including two Forest users – though serious injuries dropped by 9% year-on-year. TfL urges caution around HGVs and turning vehicles.
Bad bike parking remains a nuisance. TfL and boroughs are working on standardised parking rules, expected in 2026. For now, boroughs like Westminster and Hackney require parking in designated bays. Lime warns and fines riders who fail to comply, with penalties escalating to bans. Forest has a four-strikes system.
So which e-bike wins? Lime, with its sheer convenience and wide availability, came out top. Forest’s eco edge and cheaper bundles are tempting if you plan ahead. The e-Boris bike may be the best designed – but if it’s too hard to hire, it might be the one left behind.
Fifteen years since Boris Johnson launched hire bikes in London, TfL’s scheme feels at a crossroads. Unless the app and access improve, it may struggle to compete with the slicker competition pedalling ahead.
