E-bikes could be forced off roads in London amid huge safety complaints with Sadiq Khan urged to act
The London Assembly has called on the Mayor for urgent action
PA
Electric bikes could become regulated in London amid mounting pressure for Sadiq Khan to take control of the crisis which has caused safety concerns among pedestrians.
The calls for regulation come after figures estimated 40,000 e-bikes operate across the capital with growing concerns over the safety risks they pose for pedestrians.
The surge in dockless e-bikes has caused particular difficulties for vulnerable pedestrians, including those with visual or mobility impairments, the assembly noted. Abandoned vehicles on pavements have become an increasing nuisance for Londoners, with calls for stricter oversight gaining momentum.
The issue spans 22 London boroughs, where current regulations leave authorities powerless to effectively manage the growing sector.
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Residents complained about the number of bikes blocking pavementsGETTYThe London Assembly has called on Transport for London and other strategic transport authorities to be granted new powers to regulate the e-bike market.
The motion seeks to address the current regulatory gap through the English Devolution Bill. Assembly Members want the Mayor to formally request these powers from the Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh.
Currently, neither TfL nor local boroughs possess the legal authority to manage these services, instead they rely on local agreements. Elly Baker AM, who proposed the motion, said: "As dockless e-bikes grow in popularity across London, with around 40,000 now in operation across 22 boroughs, it's clear that we need effective oversight to address the challenges they bring.
"This lack of regulation has resulted in blocked pavements, street clutter, and other accessibility issues, particularly impacting those with mobility or visual impairments and parents with young children.”
Hina Bokhari AM, who seconded the motion, stressed the importance of safety and accessibility stating that clear regulation is needed to ensure streets and walkways remain usable, "especially for those with visual or mobility impairments".
The assembly outlined several specific actions in their motion to address the e-bike situation. The Mayor has been asked to update the Assembly on progress with London Councils regarding a single pan-London contract to manage e-bikes and e-scooters.
This contract would aim to regulate fleet size, improve parking quality and increase data sharing. The Assembly also demanded direct engagement with the two main dockless e-bike providers to address ongoing issues.
Abandoned and poorly parked e-bikes have become increasingly problematic since their introduction to London's streets. The issues are particularly acute in high-usage areas, where excessive street clutter creates obstacles for pedestrians.
The motion stated: “Issues with abandoned and poorly parked e-bikes have proliferated since their introduction, including blocked pavements and excessive street clutter, particularly in areas of high usage.
“This is creating a range of difficulties for all Londoners, particularly for people with visual or mobility impairments, and those pushing children in buggies. Parents pushing buggies face daily challenges navigating around carelessly discarded vehicles.”
The assembly noted that these problems create particular difficulties for vulnerable Londoners, especially those with visual or mobility impairments. Without proper regulation, the group warned that e-bikes could lead to more accessibility challenges across the capital.
To operate in London, e-bikes must not exceed 15.5mph and should not be fitted with a power source higher than 250 watts. If found to exceed this, the police can seize the bike and issue a hefty £300 penalty notice to the rider.
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Lime is one of the main e-bike providers in London
GETTYA spokesperson for the Mayor told GB News: “We know that poor e-bike parking can cause significant safety issues for some Londoners, particularly disabled and older people. Our experience from the existing e-scooter trial shows that well-managed and regulated schemes can be successful in mitigating such issues while still providing an attractive green transport alternative.
"Dockless e-bike rental is unregulated and TfL has no powers to control the number of rental dockless e-bikes in the capital. However we are working with London Councils to explore a coordinated scheme to manage dockless e-bikes and e-scooters and additional enforcement mechanisms for poorly parked e-bikes.”
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