Lime, the Uber-backed e-bike giant targeting a valuation of almost $1.7 billion on Nasdaq, is seeing demand surge across London as temperatures push commuters off public transport.
The company reported a 28 per cent increase in journeys on days when temperatures exceeded 30C during May’s hot spell, compared with the previous week, according to data shared with City AM.
More than half of Londoners said they had switched their usual mode of transport for walking or cycling during periods of extreme heat, underlining the scale of the behavioural shift.
One in four Londoners now actively avoids public transport during heatwaves, while 26 per cent say cycling is the most comfortable way to travel when temperatures rise.
Over a quarter of Londoners are also changing travel habits altogether, shifting journeys to cooler parts of the day to avoid the worst of the heat.
Rival operator Voi reported a 553 per cent year-on-year increase in e-bike and e-scooter use in London, with its journey count rising 84 per cent during the recent heatwave compared to pre-heatwave levels.
Forest has also cited strong demand, with Alex Berwin, the company’s head of policy, noting “rides up 25 per cent compared to last week and a record number of journeys on Tuesday 23rd June.”
Berwin added: “This increase in rides isn’t just a one-off; it’s part of a wider shift towards cycling across the Capital. As London’s homegrown e-bike, we’re proud to play a part in supporting this change, offering a more sustainable, affordable, and accessible way to travel.”
Journeys ending near The Oval rose by 325 per cent during England’s Test match against New Zealand, while trips to Victoria Park and London Fields Lido jumped by 480 per cent and 349 per cent respectively.
The figures come as Sir Sadiq Khan faces renewed pressure over delays to air-conditioned Tube trains, with temperatures in parts of London forecast to approach 40C this week.
An amber extreme heat alert has been issued for the capital amid warnings of disruption across rail, Tube and bus networks throughout the period.
Currently only 192 of London’s 620 Tube trains are air-conditioned, covering around 40 per cent of the network, leaving millions of commuters exposed to sweltering conditions underground.
Opposition politicians have urged the Mayor to accelerate the rollout of new air-conditioned Piccadilly line trains after repeated delays pushed their arrival back by more than a year.
Rail temperatures can run more than 20C higher than air temperatures, meaning tracks can approach 60C during extreme heat, forcing operators to introduce speed restrictions.
Dr Arya Assadi Langroudi, associate professor in Engineering and Construction at the University of East London, described the heatwave as a “stress test” for Britain’s infrastructure, warning: “When temperatures soar, transport infrastructure can quite literally begin to feel the strain.”
Claire Mann, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, said: “We encourage customers to think about their comfort and to consider whether their journey is necessary. We will do our best to run as many rail and Tube services as possible and keep customers as comfortable as possible.”
The City of London’s latest City Streets report found cycling has increased by 44 per cent since 2023, with dockless hire bikes now accounting for almost a third of all cycle journeys.
Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Jefferies are among the underwriters for Lime’s upcoming Nasdaq offering, which the heatwave season may help to frame as perfectly timed.
For Lime and its rivals, the summer is offering a compelling argument that e-bikes are no longer a novelty alternative but an embedded part of how London moves.