London's electric bike boom is causing bike parking problems for local councils, with peak-hour usage set to increase by 91% in 2024 compared to 2018
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In London, where electric bike sharing services such as Lime and Forest are popular, complaints about bike parking have become increasingly evident.
London e-bike boom leads to clashes with councils
https://www.ft.com/content/730d4dab-e80a-4e14-a343-abafd868c5f0
The bike-sharing service, introduced with permission from Transport for London, has seen an increase in users every year, and according to the charity CoMoUK, there were 37,694 electric bikes available for rental on London's streets as of March 2024.
Lime's growth has been particularly notable, with peak usage expected to increase by 91% year-on-year as of 2024. Further growth is expected in the summer of 2024, with each company's service areas expected to expand, but as the number of users increases, the density of electric bicycles is also increasing, causing dissatisfaction among citizens, Transport for London, and local councillors.
Westminster District Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg said the council had an agreement with Lime to allow up to 2,000 e-bikes in its ward, but that in practice there are 3,000 on the road every day. People are also parking their bikes illegally and abandoning them, and Dimoldenberg said the bikes are parked in 'amazingly ridiculous places'.
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Discontent is growing elsewhere, with Brent Council warning Lime it will start removing bikes unless it deals with the 'havoc' it has caused. Other councils, including Camden Council, have also complained about hacked e-bikes being used without paying for them. London MP Rachel Blake has called on the government to give local authorities new powers to oversee bike and scooter rentals.
From the user's perspective, these electric bicycles seem to be welcomed, and a survey showed that just under half of Londoners aged 18 to 34 rent an e-bike at least once a week. Consulting firms say London is seen as a promising city for electric bicycle operators, and Lime CEO Wayne Ting believes that 'London has become a template for business strategies in other cities.' Ting also said, 'If you ask Londoners, you will find that they consider Lime an important part of the transport infrastructure.'
By Philip Mallis
Transport for London is reportedly considering introducing additional rules to crack down on illegally parked bikes, and has also signalled it is considering banning electric bikes across London to harmonise with local authorities, while Lime and Forest are reportedly concerned that tougher e-bike rules will reduce active travel in the city.
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