Tackling abandoned e-bikes

Enforcement officers have been removing abandoned rental e-bikes bikes where they are in dangerous and obstructive positions, as part of a trial in the borough to keep streets clear.

A total of 30 Lime bikes and 12 Forest bikes were seized in the first phase of the operation. Our street enforcement team used an electric vehicle to collect bikes and take them to a secure storage location, before invoicing the operators for the removal and storage of each bike.

Both operators have paid fees to the Council more than £3,000 to cover the costs of storing the bikes and releasing them, with all 42 now returned. 

The enforcement has been boroughwide, but one reoccurring hotspot for complaints was Walton Place, near Harrods. Following enforcement action, Lime and Forest are now attending the bay more regularly and complaints from residents have reduced almost entirely.

Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm, said:

“We remain supportive of rental e-bikes but there is a line. Where abandoned bikes are putting pedestrians and drivers in danger we are acting now to remove them. 

“It takes a fair amount of officer time to enforce in this way, so I am relieved that the trial has shown that operators are willing to cough up to cover the costs of seizing and storing their bikes. The truth is we cannot catch every single bike and I hope operators realise that a better solution for everyone is for them to act more quickly to clear obstructions and to incentivise respectful and considerate rider behaviour.” 

Where can you park your rental e-bike in Kensington and Chelsea?

There are 254 rental e-bike parking bays in Kensington and Chelsea, with 187 marked bays and the rest virtual bays visible via provider apps. The borough was one of the first to introduce parking bays to try tackle bikes randomly abandoned. The first 128 bays were introduced in 2023 with more added in 2024.

You can see the locations in the providers’ apps or see a full map of the spaces around the borough online.

When can the street enforcement team remove rental e-bikes?

The Council's actions comes after a Transport for London announcement in November 2024 that they will consider enforcement action where bikes are abandoned.

Rental e-bikes are removed where they meet certain stipulations set out below, which align with section 149(2) of the Highways Act:

• Bikes are lying across the highway, obstructing safe passage.
• Bikes are positioned on the pavement in a way that forces pedestrians to step into the road to pass.
• Bikes are likely to fall over, posing a risk of injury to pedestrians. 
• Bikes are situated in the road in a manner that endangers drivers or pedestrians.

If bikes do not meet the criteria above, but are parked outside a bay, they are reported to operators who have two hours to remove the bikes. This is in line with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by operators and the Council.

To report an e-bike in a dangerous position, use our online form.