Hounslow Council’s partnership with bike rental company Lime has been terminated following issues with unsafe parking.
The borough has seen more than 1.7 million e-bike trips taken since the introduction of the scheme in 2023, with upwards of 250 parking bays currently existing in Hounslow.
However, the council has ended its two-year contract with Lime due to complaints about high rental prices and dangerous parking behaviour, resulting in pavements being obstructed by bikes.
In place of the previous partnership, the council is now collaborating with rental operators Voi and Forest, rivals of Lime, with the new contract to begin on August 11.
According to the council, the reformed scheme will ensure benefits such as lower or discounted prices and ‘stricter enforcement’ for parking, as well as improved accessibility, sustainability and safety features.
The council confirmed it is ‘reviewing enforcement procedures to maintain clear pavements and discourage poor parking behaviour’ and has committed to ‘monitor performance and resident feedback’ on the service.
