E-bike handlebars in London tested positive for faecal matter and germs.

A new study has found that e-bike handlebars are covered in faecal matter and other germs. This disgusting discovery could make people hesitate before renting a Lime bike during the coming heatwave.

Experts from Initial Washroom Hygiene carried out swab tests on 50 e-bikes across central London between June 30 and July 14. The results showed high levels of biological residue, including skin cells, sweat, saliva, food crumbs, and in some cases, faecal matter.

Jamie Woodhall, UK Technical & Innovations Manager at Initial Washroom Hygiene, explained the findings. He said: 'As more people use shared transport and spend time eating outdoors during the summer, it's worth remembering that germs are invisible and high levels of biological contamination can be found on everyday touchpoints that many of us rarely think about.'

He added that ATP testing does not identify specific bacteria or viruses but clearly highlights where biological contamination exists. Good hand hygiene remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to help reduce the spread of germs, particularly before eating or sharing food.

But a fresh study forces commuters to reconsider hiring out e-bikes before they ride off. Since 2018, Lime has exploded in popularity across London, letting millions hire bikes for city travel. Until now, nobody truly knew how filthy these machines really are. Scientists from Initial Washroom Hygiene tackled this mystery head on. They swabbed 50 handlebars and used ATP bioluminescence readers to measure biological activity directly. The Daily Mail reached out to the company for details on which specific brands were tested. Hospitals and food companies rely on these tests daily to check surface cleanliness. These devices do not name specific viruses or bacteria. They simply flag when everyday contact leaves biological residue behind. Results showed an average of 1,563 units across the samples collected. Experts mark anything above that as dangerously high contamination levels. One single bike hit a staggering 7,123 units on the meter. That reading signals extremely severe dirt and bacterial buildup waiting for riders. Many cyclists already suspected this mess before the data arrived. Riders frequently post dirty bikes on social media to complain about hygiene standards. Mr Woodhall points to another report from the British Toilet Association. The study found public toilets dropped by 40 per cent since the year 2000. Fewer stops mean fewer chances for people to wash hands while out and about. Carrying hand sanitiser becomes a smart move for summer activities now. One TikTok user filmed a filthy Lime bike and demanded better cleaning practices. They wrote, '@Lime PLEASE TELL ME YOU JET WASH YOUR BIKES.' Another rider admitted keeping Dettol antibacterial wipes in their pouch just for these rides. A third joked that getting a clean e-bike feels like a blessing from the gods. The Daily Mail asked Lime for an official comment on these findings. Doctors warn about safety risks beyond simple dirt and germs too. Dr Suhail Hussain is a private GP with 20 years of medical experience. He sees traffic injuries often in his daily practice routine. Recently he noticed a real increase in patients with e-bike related trauma. He calls them practical but notes they deserve far more respect than new riders give. Injuries from these bikes are consistently worse than people expect for the speed involved. The most frequent cases involve fractures to the wrist, collarbone, and leg. Head injuries and facial wounds also appear regularly in his emergency room visits.