REMOVED AND LOCKED UP: City of London cracks down on hazardous e-bike parking
The City of London Corporation has taken direct action to remove obstructive hire e-bikes from its streets and pavements, targeting those that pose a danger to pedestrians.
More than 100 bikes were confiscated during a two-week enforcement drive, aimed at encouraging operators to take responsibility for their fleets and ensuring users park their bikes properly.
Seized e-bikes were stored for 24 hours before providers could reclaim them for a fee, covering removal and storage costs. The move follows mounting complaints about bikes being left in locations that block pavements and create hazards.
The City Corporation already has agreements with hire operators on designated parking areas. However, the volume of complaints led to a more direct intervention to keep public spaces clear.
In a bid to improve compliance, an additional 300 parking spaces for hire bikes will be introduced across the Square Mile. The City Corporation is also working with Transport for London and other London councils to establish consistent enforcement measures across the capital.
Operators Lime and Forest have pledged to improve their services. Lime has also launched a safe riding initiative and will contribute to new parking bays in the City through its Parking Infrastructure Fund.
Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said: “I recently met with the CEO of Lime, along with their CFO and UK Director which provided an opportunity to ensure their global senior leadership fully understands the impact. Lime has seen remarkable success and with 16 million journeys taken (including by me!) during London’s commuting hours in 2024, their presence on the streets is undeniable, but so too are the challenges posed by bikes cluttering our pavements.
“The action plan from Lime is welcome news, particularly a funded programme that helps ensure we can continue to see dockless bikes on London’s streets without causing disruption and obstacles to others. Alongside this, we will keep up the pressure to make sure results are quantified and meaningful, alongside Transport for London and London Councils.”
