London’s transport board has vowed to take legal action against e-bike rental operators whose cycles get in the way of pedestrians and vehicles as it steps up efforts to combat obstructed pathways.

Under updated guidance on dockless e-bike and e-scooter rental published today, Transport for London (TfL) has warned it will impound vehicles that get in the way where they present a danger or are on TfL-owned land, as well as seek an injunction on operators that do not comply with its rules.

“TfL may remove the vehicle from the highway without warning where a vehicle presents a danger and vehicles will be stored for the period set out by TfL, after which they may be disposed of,” TfL said.

“The operator will be required to pay reasonable costs incurred by TfL in connection with the removal, storage and, where relevant disposal, of their vehicles along with a periodic administrative cost.

“For persistent offending or those operators who disregard our enforcement approach, TfL may consider other enforcement options including seeking an injunction where necessary.”

Though there has been significant adoption of e-bike rentals in London, many in the city have expressed frustration at discarded bicycles clogging up the streets. In 2022, a Westminster councillor described the situation as “potentially dangerous, especially for those with disabilities”. 

There has since been a greater push for more designated rental bike parking areas, with Lime investing millions in infrastructure in London. 

For its part, TfL has set aside almost £1m this year to boroughs to fund 7,500 new parking spaces for e-bikes, in addition to the 2,000 parking bays already delivered by boroughs. On red routes, TfL plans to deliver at least 800 spaces by next summer and is targeting a network of 3000 spaces by the end of 2026.

Cllr Kieron Williams, London Councils Executive Member for Climate, Transport and Environment, said: “Dockless e-bikes have the potential to be a major positive step forwards for London, but to work for our city they need to work for all Londoners. Whilst the large majority of people using the bikes do so with care and respect for their fellow residents, we are still seeing far too many blocking pavements, roads and crossings.

“The right long-term solution is new legislation, setting out fair and consistent rules that all operators have to abide by. However ahead of that, it is clear the current operators could and should be doing much more to address these problems.”

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