Responding to the government’s proposals on new local powers to regulate e-bikes, Cllr Paul Osborn, London Councils’ Executive Member for Transport & Environment, said:
“Rental e-bikes are an increasingly popular and convenient transport option for many Londoners, but for too long this market has not been properly regulated and some residents have suffered negative impacts.
“Boroughs support strong action to tackle obstructive parking and requirements for operators to share data.
“With the government working to devolve regulatory powers to Transport for London, we want to build on the duty to co-operate on parking and ensure that the London scheme is a true collaboration with local authorities, given that e-bike schemes will operate mostly on our local road networks.
“Boroughs must be able to decide whether rental e-bikes operate within our boundaries. We have democratic responsibilities to our residents and the local knowledge to assess what will work best in our communities.
“Boroughs look forward to working with the government and Transport for London as these proposals are taken forward.”
Dockless hire e-bike service delivery has been patchwork since their introduction. This has created challenges for Londoners, boroughs, and dockless hire e-bike operators.
London Councils wants to see a licensing scheme that is developed in close and meaningful collaboration with boroughs – especially with regards to:
o Fleet caps;
o Parking locations and types;
o On-street enforcement costs and service performance;
o Fair funding and distribution of licensing revenue.
London Councils also highlights that under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 there is a duty to cooperate between different tiers of local government on parking matters.
