Key Points:
- Forest e-bikes expanded into the London Borough of Ealing on July 30, marking the company’s operations across 20 London boroughs.
- The company began rolling out a fleet of 900 e-bikes across the West London borough.
- Pay-as-you-go rides originating in Ealing are priced at just £1 until the end of August.
- Forest now provides access to the largest fully continuous network area of any e-bike operator in London, allowing seamless travel into neighbouring Brent, Hounslow, and Hammersmith & Fulham.
- The expansion is logistically supported by Forest’s nearby 65,000 square foot warehouse facility on Hythe Road in Hammersmith & Fulham.
- The ‘Friends of the Forest’ discount scheme is set to be rolled out locally, giving low-income users, key workers, NHS staff, people with disabilities or carers, students, and those over 60 a 50 per cent discount, reducing the rate to 17p per minute.
- To crack down on bad behaviour, Forest is introducing ‘Forest Force’—a dedicated team deployed to high-risk areas to penalise riders caught red-light jumping or pavement riding.
- Forest is collaborating closely with Ealing Council and Ealing Cycling to determine target junctions for the safety enforcement initiative.
- Forest enters Ealing as the third e-bike firm to operate in the area, following Lime and Voi.
London (The Londoner News) July 31, 2026 — London’s homegrown shared e-bike provider Forest has officially expanded its footprint into the West London borough of Ealing, becoming the third dockless electric bike operator to service the area alongside competitors Lime and Voi. Marking a major milestone that stretches the company’s network coverage to 20 London boroughs, the firm initiated its deployment of 900 e-bikes starting July 30. To celebrate the arrival, the company introduced an introductory incentive, offering pay-as-you-go journeys starting within Ealing for a flat rate of £1 until the conclusion of August. The strategic rollout establishes the largest continuous dockless cycling zone managed by any single operator in the capital, bridging continuous transit corridors directly into adjacent boroughs.
Why is this expansion significant for London’s transport network?
The arrival of Forest in Ealing accomplishes more than just adding another borough to the map; it establishes a unified, uninterrupted web of active travel across West London. As reported by Rebecca Bland of MicromobilityBiz, the latest launch strengthens regional connectivity, making Forest the sole dockless e-bike operator capable of offering seamless travel transitions between Ealing and its three surrounding boroughs: Brent, Hounslow, and Hammersmith & Fulham.
This interconnected layout is further reinforced by operational synergies. According to details shared by MicromobilityBiz, the expansion benefits directly from Forest’s nearby 65,000-square-foot warehouse facility located on Hythe Road within Hammersmith & Fulham, which directly borders Ealing to streamline fleet maintenance and distribution.
Highlighting the importance of this growth phase, Alex Berwin, Head of Policy at Forest, stated in an announcement covered by MyLondon journalist David Lynch (referencing MyLondon reporting):
“We are delighted to be expanding into Ealing, which marks another important milestone in Forest’s growth. Operating across 20 boroughs, we’re now able to offer the largest continuous network in London, making journeys across the Capital even more seamless.”
Mr Berwin added regarding local partnerships:
“Our ambition has always been to offer convenient, reliable and affordable ways to get around London. We are looking forward to working with Ealing Council to deliver a service that not only residents can rely on, but works for everyone in the local community.”
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How will Forest crack down on rule-breaking riders?
Alongside the physical rollout of hundreds of two-wheelers, the company is implementing stricter accountability measures to curb anti-social riding habits. As documented by local news outlets including the Ealing Times, Forest has confirmed it will penalise users who flagrantly disregard highway laws.
As reported by journalist David Lynch of MyLondon, Forest stated that a dedicated enforcement team will be deployed to high-risk locations notorious for red-light jumping and pavement riding in order to penalise any offenders.
Expanding on these enforcement mechanics, MicromobilityBiz noted that this new safety initiative has been titled ‘Forest Force’. To ensure these interventions target the most problematic spots, the company is coordinating directly with local stakeholders. According to reports from the Ealing Times, Forest confirmed they will
“work closely with Ealing Council and Ealing Cycling to identify which junctions would benefit from this initiative.”
What financial support is available for local residents?
In tandem with the initial £1 promotional rides running through August 31, the operator intends to roll out long-term economic relief measures tailored for lower-income households and essential service workers.
As detailed by MicromobilityBiz, Forest has pledged that
“over time, Forest will expand its Friends of the Forest scheme to Ealing residents, providing 50% off pay-as-you-go rides for low-income users, key workers, NHS staff, people with disabilities or carers, students and those aged over 60”.
According to MyLondon, this concession cuts the standard per-minute cost down to 17p, ensuring that sustainable commuting options remain accessible across various socio-economic groups within the West London community.
