Kensington and Chelsea Council has confiscated over 2,500 abandoned or poorly parked rental e-bikes over the past 18 months, intensifying efforts to keep the London borough's streets safe and accessible. The local authority has charged e-bike operators more than £210,000 in seizure, storage, and release fees for the confiscated vehicles.
Majority from Lime
Of the confiscated e-bikes, Lime accounts for the largest share with 1,624, followed by Forest with 787. Voi and Bolt had 61 and 44 seized respectively. The crackdown reflects growing concerns over cluttered pavements and hazards caused by improperly parked rental bikes.
New Parking Agreements
Following the enforcement actions, Lime and Forest have signed formal agreements with the council. These pacts restrict their users to parking only in 245 designated spaces within the borough. A council representative stated that the measures are necessary to ensure that streets remain safe for pedestrians and that operators take responsibility for rider behaviour.
The council has warned that further action may be taken if operators fail to encourage considerate parking. The move is part of a broader effort to manage the proliferation of shared e-bikes in London, where multiple companies compete for users.
