Barnet residents face more blocked pavements as 3,393 dockless e‑bikes seized citywide
London boroughs report a 23% rise in e‑bike removals this year, with Lime accounting for the majority of seizures and blind groups warning of safety risks
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London boroughs have removed 3,393 dockless e‑bikes this year, data from The Standard shows. The figure represents a 23% increase compared with the whole of 2025. The removals have been carried out by 32 councils, including Barnet, under powers to address dangerous or abandoned vehicles on public space.
Scale of the seizures
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The Freedom of Information request that The Standard referenced covered 19 authorities. Those bodies reported that Lime bikes made up more than 2,000 of the seized units. Forest operators followed with 978 removals, while Voi accounted for 103. The remaining bikes were spread across smaller providers. TfL estimates that dockless e‑bikes now feature in one in ten of the 1.5 million daily cycle journeys across the capital.
Impact on blind and partially sighted users
Erik Matthies, policy lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, told The Standard that the rise in abandoned bikes is overwhelming for blind and partially sighted people. He added that the clutter also affects elderly residents and wheelchair users who rely on clear pavements for safe travel.
London boroughs seize 3,393 e-bikes in 2026
Seizures are up 23% on last year, with Lime bikes accounting for over two-thirds of impounded vehicles.
People are having collisions and injuries due to bikes left on the pavement, and the problem is getting worse.
Erik Matthies, RNIB policy lead
Operator and council responses
A spokesperson for Lime said the majority of riders end trips responsibly and that only a small fraction of rides lead to seizures. The company argued that councils need to invest in more parking bays to keep pace with demand. Councillors such as James Slater of Camden called for a London‑wide approach, noting that differing local policies create confusion for operators working across borough borders. The mayor’s office said it is working with TfL and the Department for Transport to introduce controls quickly.
Questions this report answers
+How many dockless e‑bikes have been seized in London this year?
Local authorities have removed 3,393 dockless e‑bikes so far in 2026, according to data reported by The Standard. The number marks a 23% increase compared with the total removals recorded in 2025.
+Which operator is linked to the most e‑bike seizures?
Lime operators are linked to more than 2,000 of the seized e‑bikes, based on information supplied by 19 reporting authorities and published by The Standard. Forest and Voi follow with lower totals.
+What safety concerns have been raised about abandoned e‑bikes?
Erik Matthies of the RNIB said abandoned e‑bikes are overwhelming for blind and partially sighted people, as well as for elderly residents and wheelchair users. He warned that the clutter leads to collisions and discourages independent travel.
+What steps are councils taking to address the problem?
Councils, including Barnet, are seizing illegally parked e‑bikes under existing powers. They are also urging a London‑wide regulatory framework and calling for more dedicated parking bays to reduce future build‑ups, as reported by The Standard.
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