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HumanForest, London’s ‘first’ free, shared e-bike scheme, has launched in Islington.
The scheme, which is set to roll out over 1,000 e-bikes across London in the coming months, has delivered 200 rides to the north London borough.
Offering twenty free minutes daily, HumanForest is facilitating a “fun, active and sustainable way to move around the city”.
“The HumanForest vision is one of accessible and inclusive mobility, backed by corporate partnerships,” said a statement. “With the offering of free minutes and no unlocking fee, it is a movement that all Londoners can be part of. By opting to make their daily journey on a HumanForest e-bike, Londoners signal their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and improving our city’s air quality. Working together they become, in essence, a Human Forest.”
HumanForest e-bikes are dockless, zero-emission and powered by renewable energy. Once the free twenty daily minutes are used up, the e-bike costs 12p per minute. Users can pause their ride, parking the e-bike for up to 23 hours. The e-bikes can reach up to 15mph, are GPS-tracked and are locked and unlocked exclusively via the HumanForest App.
Co-founder Caroline Seton said, “Above all, HumanForest is about giving free and sustainable mobility to everyone. Londoners, making conscious choices, can help create a more ecologically friendly future for our city and it’s our mission to change transport behaviour. Together we can create a greener, healthier future for London.”
“The transformation towards a more sustainable society has accelerated in recent months and transport is a very real way for Londoners to make a difference, not just to the environment but to their wellbeing too. Cars are responsible for 60% of all transport-related emissions. Yet two-thirds of car trips made by Londoners could be cycled in under 19 minutes. As London embarks on one of the world’s largest car-free initiatives, there’s a huge opportunity to rethink how we move, pushing forward the transformation towards a more sustainable society.”
Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington’s executive member for Environment and Transport, said: “Bike-sharing offers an easy, healthy, green way for Islington’s residents, workers and visitors to navigate their way around the borough as they make essential trips.
“HumanForest’s sustainable e-bikes will help to encourage people of all ages and abilities to take up cycling as an alternative to using motor vehicles – boosting their own personal fitness whilst contributing towards a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly borough.
“The Council is working hard to create people-friendly streets, where it is easier and safer to walk and cycle, and where streets are better and more pleasant for all. Welcoming HumanForest’s sustainable e-bikes is another step towards achieving this goal, and we look forward to seeing local people benefit from them.”
