Sutton's e-bike scheme could be expanding with a new provider, following a review of the current contract with Forest. The Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee discussed the future of the borough's e-bike scheme at their meeting on Thursday 26 June 2025.
Since the start of the Forest scheme, usage has increased, with 3,753 customers completing 23,853 rides in May 2025. According to the meeting summary, approximately 19,000 of those journeys started and finished within the borough, representing a carbon saving of 3.3 tons for May 2025 alone.
While the scheme has been successful, issues with footway obstruction and poor parking have been noted. Forest has implemented rider education programmes and app reminders to address these issues. Transport for London (TfL) is providing funding for boroughs to investigate and introduce on-road parking areas to mitigate pedestrian obstruction.
The committee was asked to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Environment Housing and Neighbourhoods to appoint a dockless e-bike service provider for the borough, following a competitive tender process carried out jointly with the London Borough of Kingston. The E-bike review and procurement Cttee Report provides more details on the review and proposed procurement.
The meeting summary also covered other topics, including the extension of food and green waste treatment contracts and an update on the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee's responsibilities. The committee considered a recommendation to extend two contracts for the handling, haulage and treatment of food and green garden waste, awarded by the Royal Borough of Kingston as lead commissioners on behalf of the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP).