A new era for e-bike travel begins today (Monday, 1 June) in Richmond upon Thames as Forest officially launches its borough-wide hire e-bike service, bringing lower prices, more bikes, and better connectivity for residents, says the council.

From today, residents can access Forest's growing network of hire e-bikes, with 1,500 bikes being rolled out across the borough over the coming week.

According to Richmond Council, "the launch means cheaper journeys, greater availability, and seamless travel across London, helping more people choose cycling for everyday trips".

Councillor Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council, said: "Today marks a major step forward for sustainable transport in Richmond upon Thames. We promised residents a better deal on hire e-bikes and we have delivered.

"Forest is bringing lower prices, more bikes and a service designed around what people told us they wanted.

"Whether you are travelling to work, heading to the shops, visiting friends, or connecting with public transport, residents now have access to a more affordable, reliable, and convenient way to get around Richmond and beyond.

"Richmond is leading the way in making active travel a realistic choice for more people.

"We want greener journeys to be the easiest journeys, and today's launch is another important step towards that ambition."

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Forest already operates in neighbouring boroughs including Kingston and Hounslow, creating a connected network that allows riders to travel easily across London without worrying about borough boundaries.



(L-R) Councillor Alexander Ehmann with Forest Chief Operating Officer Will Jansen at York House, marking the launch (Crredit: Richmond Council)

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, deputy leader and chair of the transport and air quality committee, said: "Residents were clear: they wanted better value, better management, and more bikes available when and where they need them. We listened and acted.

"From today, Richmond residents can see the difference for themselves.

"Forest offers some of the most affordable e-bike hire in London, with £1 introductory rides, free minutes for short journeys, and improved parking arrangements that support both riders and local communities.

"This is about giving people genuine transport choice. Every journey made by bike instead of by car helps reduce congestion, improve air quality, and make our streets healthier and more enjoyable places to be."

He added: "We are not standing still. We want more people than ever choosing active travel, and Forest gives us a strong platform to continue growing cycling across the borough."

To mark the launch, Forest is offering riders whose journeys start in Richmond up to 30 minutes of riding for just £1 in throughout the first month.

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Residents can also access an exclusive local offer of 400 minutes for £13.99 a month (equivalent to just 3.5p per minute).

Forest Founder and CEO, Agustin Guilisasti, said: "We are excited to officially launch as the sole e-bike operator in Richmond, one of the most popular locations for cycling in London.

"Since we started Forest in 2021, it's been amazing to see the growing demand for e-bikes in London, and this is an exciting next step as we continue to expand our presence across the Capital.

"To mark this milestone, we're delighted to be offering users in Richmond exclusive pricing, to make cycling even more accessible and affordable as we enter the warmer summer months."

As Lime concludes its operations in Richmond upon Thames, the council says that riders are encouraged to switch to Forest to continue using hire e-bikes across the borough.

Forest and Lime will contact users directly to support the transition. A small number of Lime bikes may remain through the transition.

Richmond Council said: "The appointment of Forest follows a comprehensive public consultation, with more than 1,000 responses helping shape the future of hire e-bikes in Richmond.

"The launch represents a significant milestone in the Council's commitment to improving sustainable transport, building on the more than 1.5 million hire e-bike journeys made in Richmond upon Thames last year alone.

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"With lower prices, more bikes and a growing London-wide network, Richmond residents can now enjoy a better, greener, and more affordable way to travel."

Richmond Council announced the banning of Lime in the borough back in March, despite a local petition to keep the company operating in Richmond.