Electric bikes and scooters are now available to rent in Northolt and Greenford for the first time, as Ealing Council continues its push to expand sustainable travel options across the borough.
The expansion means the bikes and scooters can now be hired in all the seven towns of Ealing providing residents a low-emission alternative for short journeys. According to operator Lime, usage of e-bikes and scooters rose by 75% across the borough in 2024 compared to 2023.
Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Peter Mason said: “Now that e-bikes and scooters are available to rent in Northolt and Greenford, we are one step closer to a more connected community, and I’m hopeful that they will make journeys quicker and easier for residents. This expansion is part of the £28 million invested last year, to make it more convenient and safer for people to choose active forms of travel like cycling.”
While the benefits to health, congestion and air quality are widely acknowledged, the scheme has not been without controversy. Residents have raised concerns about scooters and bikes being left in obstructive or unsafe places.
Councillor Paul Driscoll, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, said: “Most people use the bikes and scooters responsibly, but like anything new, there are some issues to be resolved. In the short-term, we have added 101 designated parking spaces and riders will be warned, then fined if they park outside these areas. Lime, one of the operators, has also put more resource into moving and redeploying bikes.”
Councillor Driscoll added: “In the longer term, Transport for London is working with the operators and local councils to implement changes and enforcement methods to ensure we have everything at our disposal to allow people to use the bikes and scooters safely while keeping all our residents safe and able to travel around the borough easily.”
Residents in Ealing can rent e-bikes and scooters via the Lime app and the Voi app
