As part of the first phase of enforcement, a total of 30 Lime bikes and 12 Forest bikes were seized by the Kensington and Chelsea Council’s street enforcement team.
A crackdown on abandoned rental e-bikes has seen Kensington and Chelsea enforcement officers remove dozens of improperly parked bikes in a bid to keep the borough’s streets safe and accessible. The initiative, which is currently being trialled, aims to address growing concerns over e-bikes being left in hazardous and obstructive positions.
As part of the first phase of enforcement, a total of 30 Lime bikes and 12 Forest bikes were seized by the Council’s street enforcement team. Officers, using an electric vehicle, collected the bikes and transported them to a secure storage facility. The operators were then invoiced for the removal and storage costs, which amounted to over £3,000. Following payment, all 42 bikes have now been returned to their respective companies.
Although the enforcement effort has been carried out across the borough, certain areas have emerged as hotspots for abandoned bikes. Walton Place, near Harrods, was identified as a location with frequent complaints. However, following the Council’s action, Lime and Forest have increased their efforts to attend to the designated bay more regularly, leading to a significant drop in complaints from local residents.
Councillor Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for Planning and Public Realm, reinforced the Council’s commitment to responsible e-bike use, stating:
“We remain supportive of rental e-bikes, but there is a line. Where abandoned bikes are putting pedestrians and drivers in danger, we are taking action 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 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 encourage respectful and considerate rider behaviour.”
E-Bike Parking in Kensington and Chelsea
The borough has implemented 254 dedicated parking bays for rental e-bikes to prevent bikes from being left haphazardly on pavements and roads. Of these, 187 are marked physical bays, while the remainder are virtual bays visible through provider apps. Kensington and Chelsea were among the first areas in London to introduce designated parking spaces in an effort to tackle the issue of abandoned e-bikes. The first 128 bays were installed in 2023, with additional spaces added throughout 2024.
E-bike users can find their nearest parking bay through provider apps or by accessing an online map of designated spaces around the borough.
“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.”
-Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm
When Are Rental E-Bikes Removed?
The Council’s initiative follows a Transport for London announcement in November 2024, which signalled a tougher stance on abandoned e-bikes. Under the scheme, the Council removes bikes when they pose a clear obstruction or safety risk, in line with Section 149(2) of the Highways Act. These situations include:
Bikes lying across the highway, blocking pedestrian access.
Bikes positioned on pavements in a way that forces pedestrians to step into the road.
Bikes at risk of falling over and injuring passersby.
Bikes left in the road in a manner that endangers drivers or pedestrians.
If a bike is found outside a designated bay but does not meet the above criteria, operators are given a two-hour window to remove it. This aligns with a Memorandum of Understanding agreed upon by e-bike providers and the Council. Residents who encounter an abandoned e-bike in a dangerous position are encouraged to report it using the Council’s online form.
