Particle.news

Download on the App Store

London Tube Strikes Drive 58% Surge in Lime E‑Bike Use, With Reports of Hoarding and Safety Risks

Company figures indicate many riders completed entire commutes on shared bikes, taking longer trips during peak hours.

Overview

  • Lime reports rush‑hour trips rose 58% on Monday and 50% on Tuesday versus the previous week, with ride duration up 37–41% and distances up 24–28%.
  • To keep bikes available, Lime says it increased battery swaps, rebalanced crowded bays, and deployed more foot patrols in central London.
  • Commuters have reported bikes missing pedals and being hidden in hedges or homes to reserve them, and the app allows users to flag deliberately concealed vehicles.
  • Regular cyclists describe unsafe behavior by inexperienced riders, including red‑light jumping and risky overtakes, raising concerns about road safety.
  • The strike has left the Elizabeth line and buses crowded, taxis scarce, and roads gridlocked as the Underground faces a third morning of disruption.