Forest signs our e-bike charter
London Sight Loss Councils (SLC) have teamed up with e-bike operator Forest for it to become the second signatory of our SLC e-bike charter. Forest is the second signatory of the charter calling for operators, local authorities and governing bodies to commit to six key principles. This is to ensure the safety of blind and partially sighted (BPS) pedestrians who have voiced concerns around the impact of e-bikes and e-scooters on our streets.
SLCs have partnered with Forest and other operators to explore how to reduce issues surrounding the misuse and poor parking of e-bikes and e-scooters. Our aim is to minimise the danger they can pose to BPS people.
Forest, the second largest e-bike operator in London, enhances its communities by ensuring that the hundreds of thousands of trips taken by residents, visitors, and commuters do not come at the expense of non-users, especially those who are blind and partially sighted.
Our work with Forest
We have worked with Forest to implement a range of measures in advance of becoming a signatory to help improve how they collect data on their riders as well as exploring ways to minimise street obstacles. This includes rolling out greater numbers of dedicated parking bays across London for users to leave their e-bikes safely. They have also maintained a dedicated phone line and displayed clear QR codes for people to report obstructive bikes simply and quickly.
Woman riding a green Forest bike on a road.
In 2024, Forest was also the first London shared e-bike operator to integrate ‘positive parking’ artificial intelligence (AI) into their app. This prompts users to reconsider how their bike is parked if the image does not reach a predefined threshold. The thresholds for training the AI were reviewed and approved in partnership with SLCs alongside other sight loss charities.
South-West London SLC member Haren Thillainathan said:
“I’m pleased Forest have agreed to become a signatory to the e-bike charter. They have been supportive of its aims and principles in the context of increasing use of e-bikes in the capital.
“It is great that Forest is partnering with SLCs to help ensure we reduce the risks rental e-bikes pose to blind and partially sighted pedestrians in London.”
Alex Berwin, Head of Policy at Forest, said:
“Forest is and always has been committed to providing an equitable and inclusive service for the benefit of the whole community, particularly non-users with accessibility needs.
“We are really pleased to become the second signatory to the e-bike charter, and look forward to growing our partnership with Sight Loss Councils and the blind and partially sighted community so that we continue learning about how we can improve and build a more inclusive service.”
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Publication date: 26 February 2025