London-based shared e-bike operator Forest has introduced a new in-app sobriety feature designed to prevent riders from unlocking bikes after consuming alcohol, as part of broader efforts to improve road safety across the capital. The reaction-time test will be gradually rolled out across the company’s fleet of around 20,000 e-bikes. When selecting the “Rent Now” option in the app, some users may be prompted to complete a quick interaction. After a short countdown, riders must respond to a traffic-light signal, allowing the system to measure their reaction time before a ride can begin.
If the user passes the test, the rental proceeds as usual. Those who fail can attempt it up to three times, after which the app temporarily blocks access to the rental function for a set period. According to Forest, the prompts will appear at specific times and locations identified as higher-risk, such as late-night hours in central London, using geolocation. The company states that the feature was developed following consultations with the Metropolitan Police Service and forms part of a broader program encouraging safer riding and parking behavior across the city.