Thousands of ebikes seized by London councils as anger rises over blocked paths

London boroughs have seized over 3,000 electric bikes (ebikes) this year, according to a Guardian investigation. The number of seized ebikes has risen by 23% compared to all of last year. Lime, a California-based bike rental company, accounted for more than 2,000 of the seizures this year, while Forest and Voi rounded out the top three. Dockless ebikes have gained popularity, with one in ten of the city's daily cycle journeys made using them, according to Transport for London.

Local authorities are facing criticism for failing to regulate ebike use effectively. Campaigners argue that irresponsibly parked bikes block pedestrian pathways and pose safety risks for individuals with visual impairments or mobility issues. Erik Matthies, a policy lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, highlighted the difficulties faced by blind and partially sighted individuals due to abandoned ebikes on the pavement.

Some boroughs have seized ebikes, while others have not reported any seizures or fined operators. Councillors from various boroughs have expressed concern over the lack of central regulation across London, which they say hampers efforts to manage ebike parking and maintenance. The new licensing powers given to Transport for London (TfL) aim to create a unified regulatory framework for dockless ebike operators, but boroughs still grapple with the disparities in policies and the need for more parking bays.

Ebike operators argue that the industry is struggling due to insufficient infrastructure for parking and that councils should invest more in building dedicated spaces. Lime, Forest, and Voi all blamed congestion at overcrowded parking bays for the high number of seized bikes. The mayoral office stated that safety improvements must remain a priority in any future regulation to ensure the industry can continue to thrive while benefiting all Londoners.