REMOVE THE RUSH. Challenge the incentive, not the rider. https://removetherush.org/ Campaign brief — 2 November 2026 When every minute costs money, there’s pressure to ride faster… OUR POSITION We want shared electric bikes to thrive. They make cycling available without the upfront cost, storage and maintenance of owning a bike. They can bring more activity into everyday life and replace car journeys. Our campaign focuses on one design question: does the way we charge introduce unnecessary pressure to hurry? THE MECHANISM On a fare that rises with every charged minute, a shorter journey costs less. The behavioural effect needs careful investigation. Free minutes, bundles, subscriptions and flat-fare offers mean not every trip faces the same incentive. A flat fare with a tight deadline may simply move the pressure to that deadline. THE EVIDENCE Orsini et al. (2026) compared a per-minute charge condition with a private-bike condition in a bicycle simulator. Thirty participants aged 19–28 rode faster and accepted shorter traffic gaps in the charged condition. The study supports concern about the incentive. Its small, young sample and simulator setting do not establish the effect on real-world rental e-bike journeys or prove that alternative fares reduce crashes. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2026.102172 Open university record: https://www.research.unipd.it/handle/11577/3611241 WHAT WE ASK 1. Pilot alternatives: clear journey fares, distance-based pricing or generous time allowances. Examine thresholds and overrun charges. 2. Measure rider stress, speed for the conditions and safety outcomes, alongside affordability, access and operator viability. Use a robust comparison and publish the results. 3. Design with riders, operators, councils and independent researchers. Preserve what makes rental e-bikes useful and accessible. PRICING CONTEXT (CHECKED 2 NOVEMBER 2026) Lime says prices vary by city; the applicable price appears in the app. Eligible Hackney residents can access a £1.75 fare for journeys starting in the borough, covering up to 25 minutes. Per-minute charges apply after the included period. Eligibility and terms apply. https://www.li.me/vehicles/electric-bike https://www.li.me/en-gb/hackney-discount-program-terms-and-conditions https://www.hackney.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/sustainable-transport-and-parking/cycling/cycle-hire Forest’s help article (updated 14 September 2026) lists a £1 unlock fee, 0, 5, 10 or 30 free ride minutes depending on the bike, and 33p per minute thereafter. Bundles and subscriptions offer other ways to ride. Always check current app pricing. https://help.forest.bike/en/articles/76 https://forest.bike/how-it-works E-CYCLING BENEFITS Bourne et al. (2020), The impact of e-cycling on travel behaviour: a scoping review. Benefits depend on the journeys replaced; not every shared e-bike trip replaces a car trip or adds physical activity. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7456196/ KEEP THE JOY. LOSE THE RUSH.