Voi vs Lime vs Forest: free e-bike rides in London (2026)
5 min read · Updated · By the HelloBonus team
The short answer
Forest gives the most free riding: 30 minutes after your first ride, to use within 7 days. At Forest's pay-as-you-go rate that's up to about £9.90 of riding (the £1 unlock fee isn't covered). Lime gives a £4 ride credit that lasts 60 days but is used on one ride. Voi adds free ride credit once you sign up and add a payment method (its UK guide says £2.50). They're separate apps, so you can claim all three.
The three offers side by side
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| Brand | Your reward | What you do | Time limit | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest | 30 minutes of free riding time | Type the code at sign-up, then take your first ride | Referral minutes are valid for 7 days | |
| Lime | £4 ride credit, shown as a coupon in the app | Create a new account through our link, then take a ride | Coupons expire 60 days after you get them | |
| Voi | Free ride credit, added when you sign up (£2.50 in Voi's UK guide) | Sign up through the link and add your own payment method | None stated. Voi can change or cancel unused credit at any time |
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| Topic | Forest | Lime | Voi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 | 16 for e-bikes, 18 for e-scooters |
| Driving licence | Not needed | Needed for e-scooters in London | Needed for e-scooters, not e-bikes |
| London price | £1 to unlock, then £0.33 a minute | Shown in the app before you ride | No unlock fee, 27p a minute |
| Code or link | Type the code at sign-up | Sign up through the link | Sign up through the link |
Which one gives the most free riding?
Forest. Its 30 free minutes are worth up to about £9.90 at its pay-as-you-go rate of £0.33 a minute, though you still pay the £1 unlock fee. Lime's credit is £4, used on a single ride. Voi's UK guide puts its sign-up credit at £2.50, which is about 9 minutes in London at 27p a minute.
Lime's credit lasts longest (60 days), while Forest's minutes expire after 7 days. So if you won't ride this week, start with Lime or Voi and join Forest when you're ready to use the minutes.
Can I claim all three?
Yes. Each app gives its welcome reward to people who are new to that app, so joining one doesn't stop you joining the others. Within each app it's one reward per person, and you need your own account and payment card.
Tips to make free minutes go further
- Use Forest's minutes within 7 days: after that they're gone.
- Lime's coupon covers one ride and any unused part is lost, so use it on a ride that costs at least £4.
- On Forest, look for bikes with their own free minutes on the map. Your referral minutes are used after those run out.
- Park only where the app allows. Forest can charge up to £20 for parking outside bays in some boroughs, and Voi's terms allow a £25 charge for breaking its rules.
- E-scooters need a driving licence. E-bikes don't.
Where each app works
Forest says it operates across 19 London boroughs. Lime lists London, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford, Salford and the West Midlands. Voi lists about 20 UK towns and cities, including London, Oxford, Cambridge and Southampton. Check the map in each app before you sign up.
Codes we've checked
Questions people ask
Which London e-bike app gives free minutes?
Forest gives 30 free minutes when you sign up with a referral code and take your first ride. Lime gives a £4 ride credit and Voi gives free ride credit when you join through an invite link.
Do I need a licence to ride an e-bike in London?
No. Forest and Voi both say you don't need a licence for their e-bikes. Rental e-scooters are different: you need a valid driving licence.
How long do free ride credits last?
Forest's referral minutes last 7 days, Lime's coupons expire 60 days after you get them, and Voi's terms give no fixed date but say unused credit can be changed or cancelled.
Do free minutes cover the unlock fee?
Not on Forest: its free minutes cover riding time, and each pay-as-you-go ride costs £1 to unlock. In London, Voi currently has no unlock fee.
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