Thousands of ebikes seized by London councils

London boroughs have impounded at least 3,393 hazardously parked or abandoned ebikes so far this year, a Guardian investigation has revealed. This figure represents a 23% increase compared to the total number of seizures made throughout 2025. The surge in seizures comes amid growing public frustration over bikes littering streets and obstructing pavements.

Lime, a prominent ebike rental company, was responsible for more than 2,000 of these seizures. Rival operator Forest followed with 978 seizures, while Voi accounted for 103. These figures were compiled from a freedom of information request sent to 21 London boroughs and the City of London, with 19 authorities providing data.

Safety Concerns for Pedestrians

Campaign groups and charities have voiced significant concerns regarding the safety implications of irresponsibly parked ebikes. Zak Viney of the campaign group Living Streets stated that such obstructions prevent people from walking and using wheeled devices safely on streets. Erik Matthies from the Royal National Institute of Blind People added that abandoned ebikes are causing distress and injuries to blind and partially sighted individuals, the elderly, and wheelchair users, with some reporting they no longer feel safe going out alone.

Councillor James Slater, representing Camden, noted that ebikes have been found blocking resident parking bays and traffic routes. He highlighted incidents, such as during the solar eclipse, where ebikes accumulated around Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath, emphasizing the operators' responsibility to prevent public nuisance.

Calls for Centralised Regulation

Ebike operators argue that a primary cause of poor parking is the insufficient number of designated parking bays, which have not kept pace with the increasing demand for rental services. Lime stated that the majority of its riders end their trips responsibly and that seizures are infrequent relative to the total number of rides. Forest echoed this, noting they work with boroughs to encourage responsible parking.

Conversely, councils have expressed frustration over the lack of a unified regulatory approach across London. Councillor Slater described the current situation as a "jigsaw puzzle," advocating for a London-wide strategy to address the inconsistencies in policies across the 32 boroughs. This fragmented regulation makes consistent management challenging.

New Regulatory Framework on the Horizon

The recent passing of the English devolution bill in April grants local authorities new powers to license ebike operators and enforce standards for parking, safety, and accessibility. In London, these licensing powers will be transferred to Transport for London (TfL). TfL is expected to develop a single, capital-wide regulatory framework for dockless ebike operators. The Mayor of London's office confirmed they are 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 urged all dockless operators to engage fully with London boroughs and TfL to ensure their services benefit all Londoners. Voi stated that their vehicles should never obstruct access routes or emergency pathways and that they take reports of obstruction seriously, acknowledging the particular impact on vulnerable users.