Renewed Crackdown on Carelessly Dumped e-bikes


Council forced to act after rising number of complaints

H&F Law Enforcement Team (LET) officers moving a TIER e-bike blocking the pavement
H&F Law Enforcement Team (LET) officers moving a TIER e-bike blocking the pavement

June 27, 2023

Having warned of a possible crackdown on e-bikes obstructing the pavement earlier this year, Hammersmith & Fulham Council says it is now proactively moving cycles parked illegally or anti-socially.

Earlier this year a new reporting tool was introduced for borough residents to notify the council of e-bikes blocking walkways and roads and it has already received nearly 1,000 reports.

In May, residents reported more than 660 illegally parked rental bikes – 21 a day on average – with an all-time high of nearly 50 reports on 13 May.

June’s numbers have since dropped to 234 bikes (as of 23 June), with reports averaging at 11 bikes a day. The council claims that its campaign in which officers from the borough’s Law Enforcement Team (LET) and Parking Team are being sent out to keep pavements clear has led to the reduction.

It is the rental companies’ responsibility to ensure that vehicles are parked correctly, and pavement obstructions cleared as swiftly as possible, but the council felt obliged to act due to the rising number of complaints.

A Lime e-bike blocking the pavement in Langthorne Street, Fulham
A Lime e-bike blocking the pavement in Langthorne Street, Fulham

Residents can continue to report wrongly parked bikes via H&F Report It (desktop), or on a smart phone using the H&F Report It Love Clean Streets app.

Cllr Sharon Holder, H&F Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, said, “It’s great that more people are choosing to cycle rather than drive. But too many bikes are being parked dangerously on pavements, causing big problems for older and Disabled people and families pushing babies.

“We’re asking people who hire a bike to be considerate and park safely. And we’ve made it clear to the companies that they need to step up enforcement of the rules.”

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