Shorter riders say Forest e-bikes feel unsafe after Hounslow replaces Lime
Residents and social media users report Forest shared electric bicycles sit too high for people under about 5'5", prompting the company to promise hardware changes
Commuters in the west London borough of Hounslow are reporting that newly deployed Forest shared electric bicycles feel unsafe for riders under roughly 5 feet 5 inches (167 centimetres), after the council ended a two‑year agreement with Lime and awarded contracts to Forest and Voi.
Several riders told the Daily Mail and posted on social media that even with the saddle adjusted to its lowest setting they could not comfortably place their feet on the ground when stopping, which they said made mounting, balancing and stopping the heavier electric bikes hazardous. One Isleworth resident who asked not to be named said she now rides a Forest bike only to the borough border and switches to a Lime bike because she "can't touch the ground comfortably" and it "feels dangerous." Another user on Reddit said they were 5'3.5" and could not safely ride a Forest bike even after lowering the seat all the way down, writing that the bike's motor engagement when pedalling added to the risk.
Forest, formerly HumanForest, said it had heard similar feedback during research and plans to alter its hardware. Will Jansen, chief operating officer at Forest, told the Daily Mail the company would roll out a redesigned seatpost system across its London fleet in the coming months to offer a wider height range and a quicker clamp for adjustments. "This upgrade will make Forest bikes stronger, smoother, and more inclusive," Jansen said, adding that about one in five women surveyed earlier this year had expressed concerns about seat height.
Hounslow Council ended its contract with Lime in August, citing complaints about bikes blocking pavements, pricing and community feedback that sought stronger parking compliance and faster response times to concerns. The council awarded contracts to Forest and Voi following a procurement process. A council spokesperson said the decision was "shaped by widespread community feedback." Lime, which operates a large share of London's shared electric fleet, disputed the move, saying Hounslow selected another provider because it offered the council more money and that the decision was disappointing for residents who rely on Lime's service.
There are about 30,000 Lime bikes across London, and several London boroughs have in recent years raised objections to dockless shared vehicles obstructing pavements and public space. Complaints about parking and pavement clutter have prompted councils to seek stronger parking rules and different operating terms from providers.
Riders who said they had difficulty with Forest bikes described the operational problem as a combination of saddle height, bike weight and sudden motor engagement when pedalling. One social media poster said they had tried to mount the bike by pedalling into the seat, but the electric assist would activate immediately, making balance precarious. Others disputed the accounts, saying they or friends of shorter stature had taken many rides without issue and that saddle height varied between individual machines.
Forest offers promotional pricing with ten minutes of free cycling per day and markets itself as an affordable and sustainable shared e‑bike provider. The company said it is already acting on feedback and will implement the seatpost redesign across its London fleet in the months ahead.
Comedian Dara Ó Briain highlighted the operational change on social media in August, saying the switching of contracts had left borough borders resembling "Checkpoint Charlie" and that e‑bikes were "stacking up" at borough boundaries — a comment reflecting some of the logistical friction observed where operators' coverage areas meet.
The reports of seat‑height concerns come amid broader debates about design inclusivity for shared micromobility vehicles, where manufacturers and operators balance durability, theft‑resistance and ease of use for a diverse rider population. Forest has committed to hardware adjustments; councils and operators will continue to face scrutiny from residents over parking practices, rider safety and accessibility for users of different heights and mobility levels.