Following resident frustration about bikes blocking pavements, operators have agreed to implement a ‘bay parking only’ policy– meaning all riders must end their rides in designated dockless parking bays. The council – in collaboration with e-bike operators – – will use real-time data to monitor bike parking to ensure operators swiftly remove bikes that block pavements and roads. They face fines and even bike seizures if they fail to comply.
The council aims to place a dockless bike parking bay every 200 meters to support the growth of this sustainable, convenient and affordable mode of travel. Operators and Transport for London will fund the roll out of 136 new parking bays, bringing the total in Lambeth to over 500.
There were millions of dockless bike trips in Lambeth last year, and the council is keen to support further responsible uptake.
The council has also negotiated cheaper fares for residents, with every operator agreeing to provide at least one fare that is comparable to a bus ticket. Discounts of up to 50% will be offered to key workers and people on low incomes.
Word from the Cabinet
Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth & Clean Air said: “Dockless bikes are an affordable, sustainable way to travel, but we recognise poor parking causes real problems, especially for disabled and elderly residents.
“Our new deal ensures dockless bike operators manage their fleets responsibly. It will unlock cheaper fares for residents, clear pavement clutter by making Lambeth a ‘bay parking only’ borough, and sets tough penalties if operators fall short.”
“Badly parked bikes don’t just cause a nuisance, they are a serious hazard for disabled people, the elderly and parents with buggies. Nearly half of blind and partially sighted people say dockless and e-scooters stop them from getting out and about – that’s just not acceptable. We will be deploying a dedicated team of officers, with data-enabled targeting and an enforcement van to tackle the issue.”
Boroughs do not currently have full statutory powers to regulate dockless bikes, meaning they must rely on local agreements to govern how they operate. Existing highways and anti-social behaviour legislation can make enforcement difficult.
Councillor Chowdhury added: “We’re doing everything in our power to manage this rapidly growing mode of transport, and we’ll be working with the Government and Mayor of London to ensure dockless bike and scooter hire is managed effectively across London when a city-wide regulation comes into force.”
Council enforcement teams will access real-time data on dockless bike fleets and carry out on-street patrols to ensure compliance. Data access will also enable better management during busy events, with additional temporary parking bays and operator relocation when large clusters of bikes build up.
Alex Berwin, Head of Policy at Forest, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Lambeth to make our sustainable and affordable e-bikes even more accessible to local residents. We have seen trip numbers grow year on year in the borough and through this new partnership we are delighted to be funding cycle training and even more dedicated parking infrastructure to ensure our services integrate seamlessly within the local community.”
Harry Foskin, Senior Public Policy Manager at Voi, said: “Lambeth has long been a trailblazer for active travel, so we’re thrilled the council is welcoming Voi’s new, more responsible way of operating e-bikes to the borough. Together we’re bringing one of London’s most affordable, accessible and accountable services to local residents – with lower fares, new bike models for a wider range of riders, and properly enforced, tidy parking on every street we serve.”
Hal Stevenson, Director of Policy for Lime UK said: “We’re thrilled with Lambeth Council’s decision to extend our partnership. We’re proud of what we’ve built together so far and excited to keep building on that progress in the years ahead.
“Lambeth is made up of lots of busy neighbourhood centres that are quite close together – like Brixton, Clapham and Vauxhall – and shared e-bikes have become a really popular, practical way for people to get between them.
“Lambeth has done an incredible job creating one of London’s most comprehensive dockless parking networks. The hundreds of designated bays the council has built across the borough show what’s possible when councils invest in the right infrastructure to help shared e-bikes work well for everyone.
“We’re also pleased to support the council’s ambition to keep cycling affordable for residents. We’re committed to ensuring riders can access journeys that are comparable in price to a bus fare. We look forward to continuing to work together to make our service even better for residents.”
