London boroughs seize 3,393 e-bikes in 2026

London boroughs have impounded 3,393 dockless e-bikes this year due to hazardous parking or abandonment, a figure 23% higher than the total seized throughout 2025. The surge in seizures comes as residents and campaign groups report increasing problems with e-bikes obstructing pavements and access routes.

Lime bikes dominate seizures

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Figures obtained by The Guardian through freedom of information requests to 19 authorities show that Lime, a major e-bike rental operator, was responsible for more than 2,000 of the seizures in 2026. Forest ranked second with 978 seizures, followed by Voi with 103. Nine boroughs reported no seizures, and three did not respond to the requests.

Dockless e-bikes have become a popular transport option, with estimates suggesting they are used for one in ten of London's 1.5 million daily cycle journeys. However, their proliferation has led to complaints about bikes being left in public spaces, causing difficulties for pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities.

Zak Viney of the campaign group Living Streets stated that irresponsibly parked e-bikes create significant problems, hindering safe walking and wheeling. Erik Matthies from the Royal National Institute of Blind People highlighted that abandoned e-bikes are causing collisions and injuries, leading some blind individuals to avoid going out alone.

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Calls for unified regulation

Councillor James Slater of Camden noted that e-bikes have been found in resident parking bays and have obstructed traffic. He described the current regulatory landscape as a "jigsaw puzzle" and called for a London-wide approach, as differing policies across 32 councils and operators create difficulties.

E-bike operators, including Lime and Forest, have pointed to a lack of designated parking bays as a primary reason for poor parking. They argue that the number of available parking spaces has not kept pace with the growing demand for rental e-bike services. Voi stated that its vehicles should never block access routes or pavements and that it takes reports of obstruction seriously.

New powers for local authorities

The English devolution bill, passed in April 2026, grants local authorities new powers to license rental e-bike operators and establish standards for parking, safety, and accessibility. In London, these licensing powers will be managed by Transport for London (TfL), which is expected to develop a single regulatory framework for the entire city. The Mayor of London's office is collaborating with TfL and the Department for Transport to implement necessary controls swiftly, with a focus on safety improvements.

A spokesperson for the Mayor's office emphasised the importance of safety in future regulations and urged operators to work with boroughs and TfL to ensure their services benefit all Londoners.