Dockless cycle hire is about to become the same price as a bus fare in Hackney

The five-year contracts, launching next week, are designed to make cycling more affordable and accessible for a wider range of residents, while also providing tougher measures to tackle bikes blocking pavements and improve rider behaviour.

From 1 October, Voi rides within Hackney will be capped at £1.75 for 30 minutes - the same price as a London bus fare. Lime will offer new discounted rides through a LimePass+ option, allowing riders to buy an unlimited monthly pass for £45, which caps every ride at £1. 

Lower-income residents and key workers can also benefit from Lime Access, which will offer a 70% discount. 

These changes will bring down the average price of a 30-minute e-bike ride from £3.99 to £1.75, making it one of the most affordable transport options in London.

Lime, which has operated in Hackney since 2022, will continue under a new contract, while Voi will begin operating in the borough for the first time. 

As part of the agreement, both operators will introduce a wider variety of bikes, including lighter models for easier riding, e-bikes with child seats, and e-cargo bikes for transporting bigger loads such as shopping or small furniture. 

It comes as part of the Council’s efforts to support more residents and visitors to choose cycling, by making it a convenient and accessible everyday transport choice. 

The contract also includes tougher measures to monitor parking compliance and hold the operators to account if any issues are identified. By the end of 2026, the council will have created 400 designated dockless bike parking bays across the borough, where riders will be required to end their trips. 

Operators are introducing new GPS technology, which will guide riders to available spaces and improve parking accuracy to within a centimetre, ensuring bikes are parked correctly within available bays. 

To help residents build their confidence and take up cycling as part of their daily journeys, the partnership will offer free cycle training for people of all ages and abilities, as well as free cycling events and grants for community organisations. 

Cllr Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said

“A phenomenal 2.5 million dockless e-bike trips ended in Hackney this summer, showing that it’s an incredibly popular, sustainable way for people to get around, especially for those who don’t own a bike. 

“By making e-bike hire the same cost as a bus fare, we’re supporting more people to take up cycling, while also introducing tougher measures to ensure bikes are parked responsibly and our streets remain safe and accessible.”

Alice Pleasant, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Lime, said

"Being in Hackney for the past five years has been a privilege. The borough has an incredibly vibrant cycling community, and we've seen the council's investments in infrastructure go a long way to create a safer, more connected network for everyone over the past few years. 

“We've also been collaborating with the council to invest in infrastructure ourselves. This year, we've increased dedicated e-bike parking across London by 40%, with more new parking planned for Hackney in the next few months.”

Harry Foskin, Voi's UK Public Policy Manager, said

"We’re thrilled to be launching e-bikes in Hackney, a borough at the forefront of active travel in London.

“Our responsible, collaborative, and transparent approach to shared e-bikes has proven popular with London boroughs, demonstrating that it’s possible to deliver a high-quality service while reducing street clutter and improving parking standards.

“Our launch in Hackney marks a significant milestone: Voi is now an established player in London’s e-bike market. As we enter this new phase, we remain committed to growing responsibly in the capital - offering even more Londoners the opportunity to travel affordably, sustainably, and safely.”