A woman severely injured after being struck by a young rider on a Lime e-bike has called for stronger regulation of the shared electric bicycle industry in London. Jane Ouartsi sustained multiple serious injuries in the incident, which occurred in August 2023 in a pedestrianised square in central London. She suffered a broken femur, a fractured collarbone, and two spinal fractures, injuries that required three surgeries and left her needing to relearn how to walk.

The rider involved is reported to have been about ten years old. While police took statements from witnesses, no further action was taken against the child. Lime, the e-bike operator with around 40,000 bikes in the capital, has not offered compensation to Ouartsi.

Ouartsi’s partner, Dave Mathias, 63, described the impact the accident has had on their lives. He said Ouartsi was effectively housebound for roughly 18 months, unable to perform daily activities such as shopping and forced to miss family events and holidays. Mathias noted that, although her psychological state is improving, she still experiences flashbacks and anxiety when e-bikes pass by. He also reported financial losses of approximately £15,000 due to time off work, travel expenses for hospital visits, and purchases made to assist Ouartsi’s recovery at home.

Reflecting on the severity of her injuries, Ouartsi expressed concern about the vulnerability of elderly pedestrians to similar incidents, saying they might not survive such trauma. She recalled the moment of impact as sudden and devastating, comparing herself to a "broken china doll."

The couple is urging London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to use powers granted by the recently enacted English Devolution Bill to impose stricter controls on dockless e-bikes across the city. They argue that a consistent regulatory framework is necessary to replace the current patchwork of borough-level rules. Mathias emphasized that e-bike riders should be subject to licensing and prohibited from riding on pavements, as is the case with other motorised vehicles. Ouartsi also raised concerns about underage children accessing these bikes and continuing to ride on sidewalks.

Lime responded to the incident by expressing sympathy for Ouartsi and her family, stating that they take such cases very seriously. The company said the situation had been thoroughly reviewed and managed according to their policies. It highlighted that safety considerations influence all aspects of their operations, including vehicle design, maintenance, rider education, and collaboration with city authorities.