Forest Bikes pledges to ‘threaten and ban’ cyclists who repeatedly dump e-bikes in City of London

The City of London Corporation has pledged to tackle the “growing problem of improperly parked and obstructive undocked bicycles” and is calling for stronger legislation from the government. The city is one of the local authorities in the capital looking at how it can better manage the use of e-bikes, with their growing popularity reflected by the number left abandoned in undesignated areas.

At last week’s Common Council meeting (May 23), MP Shravan Joshi proposed a motion asking operators to “comply with our requirements and manage their fleets in line with available parking capacity and prevent obstruction”.

The city has also been urged to explore options such as improved fine-tuning areas and additional parking spaces to help tackle the problem, and to commit to joining “a future pan-London dockless micromobility contract” through Transport for London ( TfL) and London Councils.

READ MORE: ‘I’d hate to topple over’: Wheelchair users furious at ‘bumpy’ pavements and missing curbs

The City’s two e-bike operators, Lime and Forest, have both acknowledged the growing number of users and said they are working to improve vehicle parking. Introducing the motion, MP Joshi told members that he proposed it “after better understanding the situation and issues faced by dockless cycles in the Square Mile”.

He said that as of 2020, Lime and Forest bikes have been used for nearly two million trips, with demand continuing to grow. They have contributed to an overall increase in cycling in London, he continued, although he noted that there was a lack of available parking spaces, with operators being asked to manage capacity and ensure that bikes are parked or removed in properly.

“Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the site of dockless e-bikes littering the pavements, which pose all sorts of risks and serious threats to the safety of the less able,” he said.

Common Councilor Graham Packham, seconding the motion, described the popularity of e-bikes in the city as “very positive”, adding that they reduce noise and provide an alternative to private cars. The problem, he said, was with those dumped in undesignated locations, which are “unsightly and more importantly a danger to pedestrians with reduced mobility and other users such as mothers with young children and prams”.

The potential dangers and inconveniences of abandoned e-bikes have been raised by members, including MP John Fletcher, who uses a wheelchair. He told the court: “This is a real issue. When you combine it with people parking over drop curbs so you can’t use those either, it’s hard there. It really is.”

Common Councilor Frances Leach dismissed some of the criticism aired during the meeting, saying young people tend to use e-bikes because of their speed. She added that there is a need to increase the number of spaces and provide more education around the car parks and cautioned against eliminating them completely.

“Commitment to fine and eventually ban users who repeatedly misuse e-bikes”

Following the meeting, and the motion being passed, a Forest spokesman said: “As recognized by the City of London, the number of bicycle journeys in the Square Mile has increased significantly in recent years, helped in large part by the availability of e-bikes without dock, such as Forest. We agree that identifying and installing a dense network of dedicated parking spaces should be a priority to ensure that users have a suitable place to park their e-bikes and that spaces are left free for non-users.

“In the meantime, we remain committed to implementing a number of measures to encourage responsible parking, as well as to fine and ultimately ban users who repeatedly misuse our service.”

Search for additional parking spaces in the City of London

Jack McKenna, Lime’s Senior Policy Manager, said: “Cycling is now the largest rush-hour mode of transport in the City of London, helping to improve our air quality, reduce congestion and create a more accessible and ecological. In part, this is the result of a significant increase in the use of shared e-bikes such as Lime.

“As a result of this increase in use and demand, parking has become one of the most important challenges facing our industry, particularly in areas such as the City of London, where the demand for e-bikes outstrips the available parking space. Over the last few months Lime has significantly increased our street team to tidy up and redistribute overcrowded bikes in the City of London.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to safe parking, we are actively working with the City of London to identify and implement additional parking capacity, including funding a major study to identify and implement new parking spaces. We will continue to work closely with the City of London to make our capital a more accessible, inclusive and greener city for everyone.”

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