Lime is trying to overcome an “insane” ban on its e-bikes being ridden in a west London borough, The Standard can reveal.
The firm, which dominates the capital’s hire bike market, lost the right to operate in Hounslow in August after the council awarded contracts to two rival operators, Forest and Voi.
This meant its distinctive white and green battery-powered bikes can not be hired or parked in Chiswick and Brentford – nor used by cyclists to ride through the borough.
Lime’s GPS-based “geo-fencing” technology currently prevents the bikes being cycled over the Hounslow borough boundary, to respect the council’s decision to favour Forest and Voi.
But this has caused a massive problem for thousands of Lime riders attempting to ride through Hounslow, for example from Richmond or Kingston to Hammersmith and Fulham or Brent, or vice versa.
Comedian and TV presenter Dara O’ Briain likened the chaos at Kew bridge - where Lime bikes have been abandoned - to “Checkpoint Charlie”, while fellow TV and radio presenter Jeremy Vine said he encountered problems trying to ride from Shepherd’s Bush to Chiswick.
Hounslow council have banned Lime bikes, and licensed Forest and Voi; neighbouring Richmond has licensed Lime and banned the others. So every bridge is Checkpoint Charlie, with loads of Lime bikes parked on one side and loads of Forest and Voi on the other. Top work everyone!
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) August 17, 2025
The Standard found similar problems at Chiswick bridge, with bikes being abandoned. Lime riders have described the restrictions as “insanity”.
Lime has now approached lead councillors in Hounslow in a bid to secure a compromise – namely, to allow its customers to be able to continue cycling through the borough, but still be unable to hire or park the bikes in Hounslow.
A Lime source told The Standard: “We are trying to come to a sensible agreement which respects the council’s decision to work with other operators, but which makes sure it’s not harder for people to get on bikes and cycle through Hounslow.
“The key point the Hounslow contract relates to is who can deploy bikes and park bikes. We have had some conversations with the council, and we are waiting to hear back.
“We want to get to a sensible compromise. We don’t want cyclists to be arbitrarily stopped at a borough boundary that many won’t even know exists. Hounslow council is a progressive council that has invested in increasing its cycle routes.”
Katherine Dunne, Hounslow’s cabinet member for environment and transport, told The Standard: “It’s not a case of us giving permission - there’s a desire from both Lime and the council to come to a mutually acceptable decision that minimises barriers for cyclists making cross-borough trips whilst respecting the contracts in place with other operators, and guarding against abandoned e-bikes being left in the borough.”
A petition urging Hounslow council to rethink its “incredibly inconvenient and frustrating” ban on Lime bikes has gathered more than 600 signatures.
It is thought that the number of people cycling in the borough has fallen by “tens of thousands” of journeys in the last month.
Lime lost the right to operate in Hounslow in the wake of residents complaining about abandoned bikes blocking pavements and the cost of hiring a bike.
However, it has been reported that the council simply decided to “cash in” by awarding contracts based on the most lucrative bids.
London's messy e-bike rules mean ‘every bridge is Checkpoint Charlie’
On your bike! Lime booted out of west London borough after pavement parking complaints
'Good service on all Limes': E-bike hire firm revels in Tube strike cycling surge
Caught on camera: Red light-jumping cyclists bring danger to pedestrians during Tube strike
London can become 'another Amsterdam' says Lime bike chief as he invests £20m in capital
