Commuters in Hounslow Say Forest Shared E‑bikes Are Too Tall for Many Riders

Commuters in the west London borough of Hounslow have raised safety concerns about Forest shared electric bicycles, saying the company’s current saddle height makes the bikes difficult for people of shorter stature to ride safely. The complaints surfaced after Hounslow Council ended a two‑year agreement with Lime and awarded contracts to Forest and Voi this summer.

Several riders told local and social media outlets they cannot comfortably touch the ground when stopping on Forest bikes, increasing the risk of falls. One commuter in Isleworth said she now rides a Forest bike only to the borough border and switches to a Lime bike because she “doesn't feel safe” when stopping; she said the saddle still feels too high even though she is 5 feet 5 inches tall.

Posts on social media and user forums echo those concerns. A Reddit user in January said the bike was unsafe for people under 5 feet 5 inches, describing difficulty getting onto and balancing on the e‑bike even with the seat lowered to its minimum. The user said the bike’s weight and the unit’s immediate assist when pedaling make mounting and balancing more hazardous than on a nonpowered bicycle.

Forest, formerly known as Human Forest, acknowledged the feedback and said company research earlier this year found one in five women raised concerns about seat height. Will Jansen, Forest’s chief operating officer, said the operator will roll out a redesigned seatpost system across its London fleet over the coming months to increase the range of adjustability and make changes quicker and easier.

"We want Londoners to feel confident and safe riding with Forest," Jansen said. "While our current bike design suits most people, we know it can feel high for some. We take this type of feedback about bike fit very seriously." He said the upgrade will make the bikes "stronger, smoother, and more inclusive." Forest advertises itself as an affordable, sustainable shared e‑bike option and offers promotional free minutes to attract riders.

Hounslow Council ended its contract with Lime in August, citing borough‑wide complaints about bikes blocking pavements and concerns about pricing. The council said its procurement decision was guided by community feedback that called for stronger parking compliance, faster response times to resident concerns and more tailored and affordable pricing. The change left some residents complaining about inconsistent availability across borough borders; comedian Dara Ó Briain noted on social media that the switch made borough boundaries feel like "Checkpoint Charlie," with bikes accumulating near bridges and border points.

Lime said Hounslow selected another provider because it offered the council more money, while adding that the company’s bid had demonstrated higher service quality. The firm said it was disappointed by the decision because thousands of Hounslow residents use its bikes to connect to other parts of London.

The dispute highlights competing priorities in London’s efforts to expand micromobility: ensuring equitable access, managing pavement clutter, and responding to safety and design feedback from a diverse ridership. The average height for women in the United Kingdom is about 5 feet 3 inches (167 centimeters) and for men about 5 feet 9 inches (175 centimeters), figures riders have cited when calling for more inclusive hire‑bike designs.

Some users said Forest bikes vary in practice, noting differences in saddle height between machines and that many people of shorter stature ride without issue. Others urged operators to include clearer height guidance or warnings on bikes and apps. Forest’s planned hardware adjustment is intended to address those issues, but the company did not provide a timeline for when the entire London fleet would be updated.

Hounslow’s move from Lime to Forest and Voi is part of a broader reshuffle of shared mobility services across London boroughs, where concerns about pavement obstructions, pricing and service responsiveness have prompted councils to renegotiate or reallocate contracts. As operators alter equipment and policies, boroughs and residents will continue to monitor whether the changes improve both safety and accessibility for the range of people who rely on hire bikes for short journeys and connections to public transport.