Shared e-bike company Forest Bikes announced a major expansion into Ealing, with 900 bikes being rolled out across the borough as part of its growing West London network.

The London-based operator says deployment began on 30 July, extending its network to 20 London boroughs and creating connections between Ealing and neighbouring Brent, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham.

To mark the expansion, Forest is offering £1 pay-as-you-go rides for journeys beginning within Ealing until the end of August. The company says it plans to introduce its Friends of the Forest scheme locally over time, providing discounted rates for groups including NHS and key workers, students, carers, people over 60 and qualifying low-income residents.

The company has also announced additional measures intended to tackle some of the concerns surrounding dockless bikes. A specialist enforcement team will target behaviours including pavement riding and jumping red lights.

There is, however, some uncertainty around Forest's current status in the borough. Ealing Council's online e-bike information presently identifies Lime and Voi as its operators and provides separate instructions for reporting Forest bikes that enter the borough.

That makes this worth watching. If the Forest rollout proceeds as announced, residents would gain another option for short journeys and potentially easier e-bike travel between Ealing and neighbouring parts of West London.

Ealing Spotlight