Micromobility

How to rent an e-scooter 

Before your first ride you must:

1. Download the operator’s app.
2. Register and verify your identity with a full or provisional drivers' licence.
3. Complete a short training in the app.

How to rent an e-bike

Before your first ride you must:

1. Download the operator’s app.
2. Register and verify your identity.
3. Complete a short training in the app.

Hire costs

E-scooter costs:

• £1 activation charge
• 14p to 20p per minute depending on the operator

E-bike costs: 

• Lime: £1 activation charge and then 27p a minute  

All operators offer discounts and promotions throughout the year: 

• Lime access
• Voi 4 discounts 

The operator may charge you an extra fee at the end of your journey, if you do not comply with the parking rules. 

Riding areas

E-bikes and e-scooters are available to hire across the entire borough.

Other boroughs part of the trial

• Camden 
• City of London 
• Hammersmith and Fulham 
• Kensington and Chelsea 
• Lambeth 
• Richmond upon Thames 
• Southwark 
• Tower Hamlets (limited parking at Canary Wharf and some TfL stations) 
• Westminster 

You can ride your e-bike in other boroughs which permit them. The operator apps will show you where these areas are. 

Geofencing

Geofencing uses GPS data to determine the location of the e-scooter or e-bike, and restricts users from riding in certain areas. If you try to ride outside the permitted area, the motor of the e-bike or e-scooter will safely power down, so you will know that you need to return to the permitted area. These areas are clearly marked on a map on the operator’s app. 

Benefits of e-scooters and e-bikes

E-scooters and e-bikes provide a convenient, affordable and flexible method of travel; they can replace short car journeys and are an environmentally friendly method of transport. E-scooters improve connectivity between residential areas and key destinations. 

Safety features on e-scooters and e-bikes

E-scooters and e-bikes in London are equipped with a number of safety features including: 

• riders must be 18 or over and hold at least a provisional driving license (for e-scooters) 
• the speed limit of e-scooters is capped at 12.5mph - they will automatically reduce speed to 8mph in 'go slow' areas. The trial e-scooters also come to a safe stop in 'no-go' zones to make sure they can be ridden safely 
• the e-bikes are speed limited to 15.5mph
• all first-time riders must to do mandatory education on how to ride safely in London 
• vehicles are maintained to a high level and have large wheels to help navigate road surfaces more easily 
• lights at the front and rear of the vehicles are always on throughout any rental 
• e-scooters have audible warning systems that can be used without adjusting the rider's grip of the handlebar 

Impact on pedestrians, especially those who are elderly, blind, partially sighted or disabled

• vehicles are not allowed on pavements and must be ridden on the roads and cycle lanes
• the council is moving parking to be mainly on the carriageway, in order to stop pavements being obstructed and to improve accessibility
• e-scooters operate with a ‘no go’ and ‘go slow zones’, where the e-scooter will not operate or will operate with reduced speed.  - there are ‘go slow zones’ on Ealing’s shared use pavements, to keep pedestrians safe  

Wearing helmets

Riders do not have to wear helmets. However Transport for London, Ealing Council and the operators encourage safe use and encourage riders to wear a helmet and other safety equipment, including light-coloured or fluorescent clothing. 

E-bike and e-scooter parking

E-bikes and e-scooters should only be parked in the designated bays, which in Southall will be mainly on the road, and on the pavement in a few places. If a vehicle is not correctly parked, anyone can report this to the operator and the vehicle will be moved. 

Ealing Council are looking to balance parking demand while taking the necessary steps to support active travel and our commitment to sustainability. We believe that by providing viable alternatives to driving and replacing short distance car journeys, with the use of e-scooters and e-bikes, we can see a reduction in car journeys and the number of car parking spaces. 

We will be repurposing a small number of existing parking spaces around Southall, including some ‘stop and shop’ bays.  

Parking rules enforcement

Users are given penalties through the app if they do not comply with the parking requirements.  

Legal and illegal e-scooters

The e-scooters are part of a TfL trial which can only be used through the app, after the user’s identity is verified with a provisional or full driving licence in the designated areas. A rental e-scooter is the only way to legally ride an e-scooter on public roads, or in public spaces.

Riding on pavements is banned. Each operator's e-scooter is brightly coloured and has a unique ID number which is labelled clearly on the vehicle and are easily identifiable: 

• Lime e-scooters have a green and white frame colour, and black handlebars and wheels 
• Voi e-scooters have a red frame colour, and black handlebars and wheels 

Speed enforcement 

All vehicles are equipped with a maximum speed, and in areas with high footfall called ‘go slow zones’, the vehicles are capped at a lower speed. 

Reporting issues with e-bikes and e-scooters including illegal parking and unsafe riding

• Contact the e-scooter operator to report parking issues, illegal pavement riding, abandoned or mis-parked e-scooter
• Each operator's e-scooter is brightly coloured and has a unique ID number which is labelled clearly on the vehicle; when reporting an issue please give the date, time, location, colour and serial number of the e-scooter 
• Lime e-scooters have a green and white frame colour, and black handlebars and wheels. Call Lime on 0800 808 5223 or email support@li.me 
• Voi e-scooters have a red frame colour, and black handlebars and wheels. Call Voi on 0800 376 8179 or email support@voi.com