TfL may take action against e-bike operators

Dockless e-bike operators that allow their bikes to be parked outside of designated places may have action taken against them, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.

The transport organisation's new policy aims to tackle poorly parked e-bikes causing access or safety issues.

TfL said a "proportionate and pragmatic approach" would be taken to any enforcement activity. It said it had written to operators to ask them to collaborate on its new enforcement policy.

Forest, which rents 15,000 e-bikes in the capital, welcomed the move to tackle "irresponsible" parking. Lime said TfL's decision "underlines the urgent need for increased parking areas across the capital".

The new policy states that TfL will consider taking action against operators who allow their bikes to be parked outside of designated places on certain routes - known as red routes - and on TfL land, which includes areas such as station forecourts and bus garages.

Red routes make up 5% of London's roads, but carry up to 30% of the city's traffic, TfL said.

It added that the new policy brought e-bikes closer in line with the e-scooter requirement to park in bays.

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: “Rental e-bike and e-scooters are an important part of the capital’s transport network and we want to make sure they work for everyone."

An initial focus will be placed on "problematic areas" where large numbers of poorly parked bikes are causing access or safety issues, it said.

As part of the plan, TfL also said it would work with boroughs to create additional parking spaces for the dockless rentals.

This year, almost £1m has been allocated to boroughs to fund 7,500 new parking spaces for dockless e-bikes.

TfL said it planned to deliver at least 800 spaces by next summer along red routes.

Clive Wood, from The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, welcomed the updated enforcement policy.

"For blind and partially sighted people, having pavements that are clear of clutter, including poorly parked rental mobility vehicles, is vital to be able to get from A to B across the capital independently and with confidence," he said.

"We have heard from many vision impaired people in London that they have to try and navigate around inconsiderately parked rental e-scooter and e-bikes on a regular basis."

Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman said that dockless e-bikes played an important role in sustainable transport, but recognised that the way they are parked can cause significant safety issues for disabled and older people.

Forest's co-founder Caroline Seton called for government legislation so that TfL could manage a consistent, London-wide approach to dockless e-bikes.

"As the only London-based dockless bike operator, Forest is deeply committed to creating a city that works for everyone," she said.

"That’s why we introduced virtual parking bays long before they were mandated and have always incentivised responsible parking among our users."

The Department for Transport said it was "carefully considering" how it could help local authorities tackle the issue of e-bikes being parked "haphazardly".

A Lime spokesperson said the company was committed to working with London boroughs and TfL to ensure that e-bikes were parked safely and appropriately.

"This decision by TfL underlines the urgent need for increased parking areas across the capital.

"This includes land owned by TfL so that the space around transport hubs remains clear and safe for pedestrians," they said.

"This year we have invested £1m in a Parking Infrastructure Fund to create more dedicated e-bike parking, and we employ over 250 people on London’s streets who help remove or tidy bikes parked in the wrong places."

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