{
  "id": 13873900,
  "title": "Office cycle racks empty as e-bikes pile up – could the solution be obvious?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/office-cycle-racks-empty-as-e-bikes-pile-up-could-the-solution-be",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T04:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/office-cycle-racks-empty-as-e-bikes-pile-up-could-the-solution-be-obvious/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Despite the popular belief of a cycling decline, office bike parking in London reveals developers have been addressing the wrong issue, according to Lime's head of government relations, Stef Lehmann. An empty office bike rack indicates a person has not stored their bike for eight hours; however, it does not imply anything about the mode of transportation people use to commute. This aspect has been absent from discussions surrounding unused cycle storage in London office buildings. Research from the London Property Alliance revealed that approximately three-quarters of cycle parking spaces in the 21 office buildings examined were vacant during peak times. While developers may argue that space should generate revenue, it does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that London requires fewer cycle parking facilities. On the contrary, the data indicates that cycling in London has experienced record levels in recent years. Transport for London (TfL) estimates that daily cycle trips increased by 12% in 2025, reaching 1.4 million, marking the highest count ever recorded. Furthermore, at least one in ten cycling trips involve shared e-bikes. The change lies in the choice of bicycle; people can now commute to work without owning a bike, leaving it behind after a night out due to excessive drinking, concerns about theft, or difficulty in securing storage space at home. Some individuals have grown so accustomed to this commuting method that they engage in questionable practices. Undoubtedly, no one is proposing that all secure underground bike racks should be transformed into shared e-bike parking. However, there are two additional suggestions. First, private landowners should collaborate with developers, considering alternative outside spaces for shared e-bike parking as a viable solution to underutilized space. Second, private landowners with potential spots for shared e-bike parking should be approached more frequently, as there is a shortage of such locations in London. Shared e-bike operators consistently receive complaints about parking bay overcrowding. While this is a natural consequence of the service provided, Lime has committed £5 million to a London Parking Fund as part of its £20 million London Action Plan, with £1.5 million already allocated for borough projects. However, funding alone may not be the primary challenge. As everyone is aware, London's street space is highly contested, and modifications to space allocation can have winners and losers, potentially costing valuable political capital. This is where private land becomes crucial. By directly engaging with landowners, installing a funded parking bay can be accomplished more swiftly. Additionally, increasing bay supply across London, particularly in densely populated areas in the City and Westminster, will put greater pressure on individual bays, necessitating more comprehensive solutions. While private land cannot resolve every parking issue, it can contribute to creating more space where needed without relying solely on public highways and local councils. Therefore, Lime, boroughs, and developers should collaborate to determine the most effective use of London's public realm. Recognizing that some private cycle storage may be underused while nearby shared bays are full, regulations should consider changing travel habits and prioritize shared e-bike parking. Developers can still maintain their basement gyms, and office-goers can enjoy the post-exercise high by cycling home. Stef Lehmann serves as the head of government relations at Lime UK & Ireland.",
  "summary": "Far from a cycling decline, unused bike parking at offices proves London's developers have solved the wrong problem, writes Stef Lehmann.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}