Mayor Urges Faster E-bike Regulation Amid Safety Concerns

The Mayor of London, Lord Khan, has urged the government to accelerate the introduction of regulations for dockless e-bike schemes, warning that current plans are unlikely to be implemented before 2028. The mayor's office is proposing a framework to standardise rules across the capital, addressing concerns over safety, parking, and inconsistent regulations between boroughs. E-bike operators have also expressed frustration with the lack of a clear, city-wide strategy.

Rising Usage and Safety Incidents

Dockless e-bike hire journeys saw a significant increase, rising by a third to 37 million in 2025, highlighting the growing popularity of these services. This expansion has led to a multi-million pound business for operators. However, this growth has been accompanied by issues including reckless riding, poor parking, and injuries to both riders and pedestrians. In one incident on 4 August 2023, Jane Ouartsi suffered severe injuries, including a broken femur and spinal fractures, after being struck by a Lime e-bike ridden by a minor in central London. Her partner, Dave Mathias, expressed anger over the lack of accountability, stating, "It's a sorry state of affairs when people can just be innocently walking on a pavement having a wonderful afternoon and in an instant their life is changed by an unregulated service."

Calls for a Pan-London Strategy

E-bike operators, such as Voi, have criticised the current regulatory landscape, describing it as confusing due to differing rules across London's boroughs. Christina Moe Gjerde, vice president at Voi in Europe, stated that operators need a clear, pan-London vision. "What we're missing is a pan-London vision for... another mode of transport in London," she said. She added that the mayor was "sitting on a gold mine" and needed to "speed things up because it's going to get worse until it gets better when it comes to parking especially."

The City of London is set to receive £455,360 this year from e-bike operators through memorandums of understanding. The mayor's office is working with councils and operators to develop a framework and draft secondary legislation with the Department for Transport (DfT). This initiative aims to establish city-wide standards for vehicles, rider education, and enforcement, and to address issues like street clutter caused by poorly parked bikes.

Government Consultation Planned

A spokesperson for the DfT confirmed plans to launch a public consultation in the coming months. This consultation will precede the setting out of new regulations and guidance for the licensing of shared cycle schemes. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 granted the transport secretary the power to give Transport for London statutory authority to establish a framework for micro-mobility schemes, but the devolution of these powers is not anticipated to be complete until at least 2028.