London’s Dockless Ebike Seizure Surge Highlights Parking Crisis

Local authorities across the capital have seized 3,393 dockless electric bicycles so far this year, a 23 % increase over the total seized in all of 2025. The California-based operator Lime accounts for more than 2,000 of those seizures, while Forest follows with 978 and Voi with 103. The figures come from a Freedom of Information request submitted to 19 boroughs that hold dockless-bike contracts.

The Guardian

Dockless ebikes now make up roughly one in ten of the 1.5 million daily cycle journeys in London, according to Transport for London estimates. Campaigners argue that the rapid growth of the service has outpaced the provision of designated parking bays, leading to bikes being left on pavements, in resident parking bays, and on roadways. Councillor James Slater (Camden) noted that ebikes have obstructed traffic and crowded public spaces, especially during high-visibility events such as the recent solar eclipse.

The Guardian

The English devolution bill, passed in April, grants English local authorities new powers to licence rental-ebike operators and set standards for parking, safety and accessibility. In London, those licensing powers reside with Transport for London, which is expected to produce a capital-wide regulatory framework.

The Guardian

Lime’s spokesperson emphasized that the majority of riders park responsibly and that seizures represent a small fraction of total rides, while also acknowledging that parking infrastructure has not kept pace with demand. Forest echoed this view, noting collaboration with boroughs to encourage responsible parking. A Voi spokesperson stressed that the company takes reports of obstruction seriously and recognises the impact on disabled people, parents with pushchairs and mobility-aid users.

The Guardian

Erik Matthies, policy lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, warned that abandoned ebikes are “overwhelming” for blind and partially sighted pedestrians, leading to collisions and injuries. The lack of a unified regulatory approach was described by Slater as a “jigsaw puzzle,” underscoring the difficulty of coordinating 32 separate councils.

The Guardian

• “It prevents people from walking and wheeling on the street safely.” — Erik Matthies, policy lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People

The Guardian

• “Voi vehicles should never be parked in a way that blocks access routes, lift areas, pavements, entrances or emergency routes. We recognise the particular impact poor parking can have on disabled people, parents with pushchairs and people using mobility aids, and we take reports of obstruction seriously.” — Voi spokesperson

The Guardian