Dockless electric bikes have become a ubiquitous sight across UK cities, drawing both fans and critics. While residents vent frustrations over “problem parking” and road “chaos,” thousands of rides are logged daily, indicating that these e-bikes are here to stay. In particular, Lime and Forest dominate the electric bike hire scene in London, offering unique advantages—and challenges—to their users. But how do they compare on price, convenience, and the overall riding experience?
A Growing Trend: E-Bikes in the UK
From nextbike by TIER in Glasgow to Voi in Oxford, dockless electric bikes are transforming urban transport. London, the epicenter of this bike hire revolution, is home to operators like Lime, Forest, Tier, and even Santander Cycles, known as “Boris Bikes,” some of which now come with electric power.
While these bikes offer a door-to-door convenience that public transport can’t, there’s one major criticism—cost. In many cases, a journey on an e-bike can be significantly more expensive than taking the bus or tube. Despite this, the advantages of convenience, the outdoor experience, and the ease of avoiding traffic can outweigh the price tag for many users.
Here, we compare two of the most popular e-bike hire companies in London—Lime and Forest—on cost, convenience, and overall experience.
Lime: The Veteran of the E-Bike Scene
Background and Reach:
Founded in 2017 in San Francisco, Lime quickly expanded to over 230 cities worldwide, with its UK presence starting in Milton Keynes in 2018. Since then, Lime bikes have popped up in London, Nottingham, and other cities, with plans to roll into Oxford soon. According to reports, 97% of Londoners are never more than two minutes away from a Lime bike, making them one of the most convenient e-bike options available.
Riding Experience:
Lime bikes are generally smooth to ride, though riders occasionally report extra resistance (dubbed a “stiff Lime”) or squeaky pedals and brakes. Like most e-bikes, they’re on the heavier side, which can make starting off a bit tricky, especially after stopping at a red light. Despite these occasional issues, most users find that the bike’s performance improves after a few pedals.
Lime’s customer service is also praised for its responsive approach. If a rider encounters a broken bike—such as a flat tire or damaged pedal—submitting a photo often results in a refund.
Pricing Options:
Lime offers a variety of payment options, including pay-as-you-go and LimePass. A pay-as-you-go ride includes a £1 unlocking fee, with additional charges per minute. For frequent riders, the LimePass offers a set number of minutes and free unlocks, while LimePrime, priced at £8.99 a month, allows for unlimited free unlocks with pay-per-minute charges.
In London, a 30-minute pass costs £3.99, while a 400-minute pass comes in at £36.99. Prices vary slightly across the UK, with passes in Nottingham costing slightly less.
Cost Comparison:
For a three-mile ride in Nottingham, taking approximately 25 minutes, users can expect to pay £5.25 with pay-as-you-go. In London, the same journey costs £8.25, which is significantly higher than a £1.75 bus fare or £2.80 off-peak train ride.
Forest: A Green Alternative Focused on Affordability
Background and Reach:
Launched in 2021 under the name HumanForest, this London-based e-bike company offers a sustainable and eco-friendly way to get around. Forest operates in 14 boroughs across the capital, with 15,000 bikes available in zones 1 and 2. However, riders in certain boroughs like Hackney are left out, though Forest promises to expand into more areas soon.
Riding Experience:
Forest bikes are known for their comfort, with cushioned seats making longer rides more pleasant. However, they can be a bit more difficult to steer than Lime bikes and also require a bit more effort to get started. Forest encourages users to park in dedicated “preferred parking” zones by offering a one-minute credit as an incentive.
Pricing Options:
One of Forest’s standout features is its daily 10 free riding minutes, though this comes with a £1 unlock fee and a 90p service fee for the first ride of the day. After the free minutes are used, riders are charged 29p per minute, though rates drop to 23p per minute in Camden.
For more frequent riders, Forest offers bundles that eliminate the daily service fee and unlock charges. These range from £3 for 30 minutes to £40 for 1,000 minutes (with 10 free minutes a day).
Cost Comparison:
A typical 25-minute ride on a Forest bike in London would cost £6.25 with pay-as-you-go. However, with the added benefit of three free minutes, the price drops to £5.38. Bundles offer even better value, with a 30-minute bundle costing just £3 and coming with 10 free minutes and three ad-watching bonus minutes.
For regular riders, the £40 Forest Plus subscription—offering 1,000 minutes and no unlock fees—works out to just £1.33 per day.
Voi: The Newcomer
While Lime and Forest dominate London, Swedish-founded Voi has become the go-to operator in other UK cities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Liverpool, and Southampton. The pricing structure varies by location, with pay-as-you-go rides starting at 18p a minute and monthly passes ranging from £39.99 to £54.99 for up to 750 minutes.
In Liverpool, for example, a 25-minute ride costs £6, making it comparable to the rates offered by Lime and Forest in London.
Conclusion: Which One Wins?
For London riders, the choice between Lime and Forest largely comes down to usage patterns and budget. Lime offers a wider network of bikes, making it a more convenient option for riders who frequently travel across different boroughs. However, Forest stands out for its affordability, particularly with the free 10 daily minutes and low-cost bundles.
In terms of overall convenience and value, Forest’s £40 monthly subscription is hard to beat for frequent riders. Meanwhile, Lime’s pay-as-you-go structure may appeal to occasional users who prioritize convenience over cost.
Ultimately, the best option depends on where you live, how often you ride, and whether cost or convenience is your top priority. With more operators expanding their fleets, Londoners—and residents of other UK cities—are spoiled for choice when it comes to electric bike hire.
