Could London’s next Lime bike be a cargo bike for all?

Imagine this: you’re standing on a London pavement, staring at the familiar row of green and white Lime bikes – only this time, they’re not the current crop of Gen4 e-bikes we’ve come to know. Instead, they’ve been replaced by their successor: a Gen5 cargo Lime bike.

Not a side project, not an optional add-on, but the fleet. The everyday hire bike becomes, by default, a cargo bike. For the first time, every Londoner would have access to a cargo bike whenever they needed one. No hefty purchase price, no storage worries, no special club required – just the tap of an app and off you go with a week's worth of groceries, or a load you’d otherwise need a car to shift.

And here’s the key: in the UK, Lime riders already represent a kind of Dutch diaspora. Everyday clothing, no helmets, a quick ride in jeans or a skirt – these riders embody the casual, utilitarian cycling culture the Netherlands embodies. Swap the Gen4s for Gen5 cargo bikes, and suddenly that diaspora gains the capacity to carry bulky items, shopping, or even small deliveries. It’s cargo biking as an everyday option, not just for those with the funds and storage space to own one for themselves but for anyone who fancies giving it a try.

Across Europe, shared cargo bike schemes are already working. Paris, Berlin, and Copenhagen all offer shared cargo bikes, suggesting a larger model could succeed. And after all, a slightly stretched cargo Lime bike would barely take up any more space or be any more challenging for novice cyclists to ride.

In London, the Tube strike bump – which saw Lime hires leap by 56% – shows that people are open to alternatives when they’re easy and accessible. A cargo Lime could turn those one-off hires into lasting habits.

The idea of a Lime cargo bike fleet isn’t about novelty. It’s about equity: making a practical, climate-friendly mode of transport available to every Londoner, at any time, without the barriers of ownership. It’s about embedding Dutch-style cycling into the fabric of London life, not just as a dream on the continent but as a reality here and now.

Of course, cargo bikes are brilliant but not bulletproof. A flat tyre, broken chain, or electrical fault can leave you stuck, and when you’re carrying more than just yourself it’s a bigger problem. That’s where ETA’s Cycle Rescue makes a difference. It’s the UK’s first true breakdown recovery service for cyclists, designed to pick up you and your bike – including cargo bikes – and get you home, to the shop, or wherever you need to be.

Whatever your precious cargo, we're here to help.

Our cargo bike insurance includes everything you’d expect, like theft, accidental damage and vandalism cover – plus a few things you might not. For example, we have a no-quibble battery theft policy, zero devaluation for life, and if you break down on your cargo bike, we'll rescue you.

If your cargo bike suffers a mechanical failure, puncture, or even a flat battery, we'll rescue you, your bike, and any cargo (or kids) you're carrying.
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Cycle Rescue is free with ETA bicycle insurance

If you suffer a breakdown (including punctures, or even a flat e-bike battery) while out cycling, our 24-hour Cycle Rescue team is on hand to arrange transport for you and your bicycle to a safe location. The service is included for free with ETA cycle insurance, along with:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

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The original. And still the best.

The ETA has provided specialist cycle insurance for over 30 years – longer than anyone else in the UK. Over the decades, we have earned a reputation for our friendly customer service and environmental ethics.

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