If you want to get more active and independent, cycling is a great option, especially for short journeys. Around Ealing consider using hiring a dockless e-bikes. Not everyone has access to a bike, feel fit enough for cycling and you might not want to invest in one, especially if you’re only starting out. This is what’s great about dockless e-bikes schemes such as Lime or Voi.
Good for us, great for the environment
Most of us travel every day to work, to do the school run, to do our shopping or visit a loved one. Many of these journeys are in cars that predominantly run-on fossil fuels, significantly contributing to carbon emissions. Some of these journeys can easily be done on bike or walked.
It’s easy to hire an e-bike to make short trips rather than use the car or bus and is usually quicker. E-bikes can help to break down the barriers that stop some people from cycling, including fitness, age and journey length, meaning more people than ever can take to two wheels. Even when travelling by train for work or leisure, the final part of your journey you can use a hire bike or ebike.
There are many benefits of cycling. It improves physical health and psychological wellbeing. Also saves money on fuel and public transport costs. Additionally, it means fewer motor vehicles on the road means less congestion, fewer fatal collisions, reduced emissions and cleaner air.
E-bikes in the Ealing borough
Currently in the Ealing borough have Lime and Voi London supplying both e-bikes and escooters. More than 58,000 e-bike journeys were made in Ealing borough every month in 2023, helping people who don’t own a bike to cycle more. The e-bikes can only go to a maximum speed of 15.5mph.
Ealing was the first London Borough to partner with Lime dockless e-bike after the firm rolled out its e-bikes in 2018. Lime is one of the world’s largest providers of shared e-cycles and e-scooters, Lime claims to have replaced an estimated 60,000,000 car trips since 2017 worldwide. Get started download the Lime app and set up an account.
Lime e-bikes have a green and white frame colour. Call Lime on 0800 808 5223 or email support@li.me if you have any questions, complaints or feedback. Voi e-bikes have a red and black frame colour. Call Voi on 0800 376 8179 or email support@voi.com if you have any questions, complaints or feedback
Ealing Council expanded the areas that residents are permitted to use e-bikes to Southall in 2024. E-bikes will be introduced to the rest of the borough in 2025.
Free e-bike training
Lime partners with Bikeworks to design and deliver free Lime e-bike training sessions for those aged 18 and above. Sessions are free to attend, and will last up to 2 hours, delivered by Bikeworks Bikeability trained cycle instructors. To find out next dates go to their Bikeworks e-bike training.
Get going with Lime Dockless e-bikes
Once you have set up your account on the app it’s easy to get going. Use R34DEVI code at sign up and you will get a £4 ride credit with Lime. Download app & Sign up
There’s three ways of paying (Charges as of May 2024):
- Standard: Initial unlock fee of £1 and 29p per minute
- Lime prime account at £8.99 per month, reserve a bike for 30 mins, free unlock fee and 29 per minute.
- Ride passes which are unlimited rides in bundles* of:
- 30 minutes at £3.99 over 24 hours
- 60 minutes at £6.99 over 3 days
- 200 minutes at £18.99 over 7 days
- 400 minutes at £36.99 over 30 days
*The minute bundles are great, but be careful as if the minutes run out on your ride it will go over to the standard rate of 29 per minute. Sadly currently the Lime app does not allow you to buy another pass until the current one has run out.
For example, if its about a 15 minute journey you are going to take, flat fee it would cost you £1 to unlock and £4.35 for at 29 p per minute so £5.35 in total for that journey, so the 30 minute bike pass is better value at £3.99 and you will have another 15 mins left to do the journey back. Prime Account is ideal for users doing lots of short trips over a month.
Lime also offers discounts through Lime Access an affordability program that provides discounted rides to those who qualify, see more details at Lime Access.
They will also provide a safe, convenient and inexpensive way for people looking to replace car journeys with more sustainable transport options. By introducing dockless e-bikes, it enables people to take one-way trips. This can encourage anyone to try out cycling in the area and improve the air quality in the area.
Issues with vandalised and badly parked with ebikes
If you need to report illegal pavement riding, abandoned or mis-parked e-bike, report it on:
- Lime: Enter issue in Lime app or contact Lime on 0800 808 5223 or email support@li.me. Lime e-bikes have a green and white frame colour. Please give the date, time, location, colour and ID number of the vehicle.
- Voi: Enter details on Report a Voi if you find a misplaced or damaged vehicle, or want to report an incident. Or call Voi by phone at their contact number: +44 7476-550190.
Peddle my wheels Try before you buy scheme
Want to buy a bike, ebike or cargo bike than hire it? Peddle my wheels offers their Try before you buy scheme to all Ealing Residents. Peddle my wheels have a wide selection of bikes you can choose from and you hire them by monthly payment, with a view to buy it or return it if it doesn’t suit you. The scheme is designed to encourage beginners, less experienced cyclists and those taking up cycling again. Its run in partnership with local London councils including Ealing. Find out more Ealing Bike hire purchase scheme to get you cycling.
Micromobility around Ealing Borough
Micromobility such as scooters and e-bikes are growing in popularity. Microbility refers to a range of small, lightweight vehicles, driven by users personally. In some areas of Ealing borough you have micromobility options between scooters and e-bikes. Obviously personal preference is key: you might just feel more comfortably on an e-bike or an e-scooter. Generally speaking, e-scooters are better for short journeys in busy areas, while e-bikes are better suited for longer journeys. Most rental e-bikes will come with some form of basket, which makes carrying small loads easier.
Dockless e-bikes and e-scooters, also called micro mobility, are available for hire in the borough, through specific rental companies. Currently in the Ealing borough Lime and Voi London is supplying both e-bikes and e-scooters.
Privately owned e-bikes can be used as long as it meets Electric Assisted Pedal Assist (EAPC) rules set by the DLVA and do not require a licence. Other e-bikes that do not meet their requirements are classified as a motorised vehicle and must be taxed and insured in order to be used on the public highway. Find more information at Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance at GOV.UK.
Rental electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, are part of a London wide trial, co-ordinated by Transport for London and London Councils. The rental e-scooters can currently be used in Acton, Ealing and Hanwell. This will be expanded to cover Southall and Northolt later. The designated areas are outlined on each operators’ app. It is illegal to use privately owned e-scooters, other than on private land with land-owners’ permission.
I love how easy Lime makes it to get around Ealing! The free e-bike training is such a great way to build confidence, especially for those new to cycling. It’s awesome to see how this scheme is helping people skip the car for short trips, reduce emissions, and promote healthier lifestyles. I’m excited to see the expansion to Southall and beyond!