'Affordable' e-bike scheme launched in Haringey

The scheme will be launched on an initial 18-month trial basis

Haringey Council has launched an electric bike (e-bike) hire scheme on an 18-month trial basis.

E-bike company Lime and Forest have partnered with the council for the scheme, which is called ‘Streets for People’.

60 designated marked and virtual bays have been created.

Lime and Forest will be deploying teams to help regulate the use of e-bikes and ensure there is ‘high compliance’.

Mike Hakata, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport, said: “Cycling has so many benefits, from supporting residents’ health and wellbeing to reducing traffic and improving air quality.

“I’m delighted we are launching this trial, which will increase the options and choices for people to get around the borough. It will make cycling convenient, affordable and truly accessible for residents and visitors.

“An important part of our Streets for People programme, we want to get this right. We have listened carefully to feedback and will continue to do so, ensuring we work closely with the providers to successfully deliver the trial.”

Alex Berwin, Forest’s head of policy, said: “We are thrilled to be joining Haringey in launching our sustainable and affordable dockless e-bike service in the borough for the first time.

“Haringey’s residents, visitors and businesses will now benefit from 10 minutes of free cycling on Forest e-bikes every day, making us the most affordable dockless e-bike operator in London.

“With 25% of Haringey made up of parks, woodland and green space, this London borough has the potential to be one of London’s greenest spaces. We’re looking forward to helping make that a reality!”

Fiona Duenyas, public affairs manager at Lime, said: “We are excited to be working with Haringey Council to formalise our service in the borough and introduce new parking rules.

“This agreement will see more residents and visitors be able to access bikes via agreed deployment locations and will provide riders with marked parking bays to leave vehicles in high footfall areas.

“This will improve the experience of our service for users and non-users and help Haringey to deliver on its ambitious active and sustainable travel objectives.”

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.