The Mayor of London is under pressure to reform cycle parking requirements for new developments after research revealed that more than three-quarters of spaces remain empty. A report by BusinessLDN, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, analysed nearly 30,000 cycle parking spaces across 40 developments and found that only 24% were occupied.
Underuse across all development types
The study highlights a systemic issue, with low occupancy rates consistent across boroughs, public transport accessibility levels, and development types. In purpose-built student accommodation, just 4.6% of around 6,000 spaces across 19 developments were used on average. Office spaces in the City of London saw roughly a fifth of spaces occupied. The report states: "Even in high-density, car-free, or car-light schemes, demand for internal, private parking remains well below London Plan expectation."
BusinessLDN argues that current rules, which require one space per studio or one-bedroom flat, 1.5 for two-person flats, and two for larger homes, are "misaligned" with actual demand. The group attributes the overprovision to the rising popularity of dockless e-bikes and shared bike schemes, reducing reliance on private cycle storage. "Demand for personal long-stay storage is low, while shared and dockless e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular," the report notes.
Impact on development viability
The overprovision of cycle parking, according to BusinessLDN, "reduces flexibility in building design, increases costs, and can limit the amount of lettable or saleable floorspace, undermining the viability of schemes." Empty storage takes up valuable space that could be used for homes, shops, or green spaces, and building basement parking is carbon-intensive. The group calls for lower, evidence-based baselines in the upcoming London Plan, with additional spaces only added if demand justifies it.
Emergency measures agreed between the Mayor and the government last year temporarily loosened rules until 2028 to stimulate housebuilding and reflect increased hire bike use. A document from that agreement stated: "The GLA propose to reduce requirements for cycle parking at residential developments, taking into account higher densities of development in London and the rise of dockless cycle and e-scooter hire."
But some areas face shortages
Despite the overall underuse, some Londoners struggle to find secure cycle storage. Transport for London data shows that in 2025, only 10% of cyclists used shared bikes, meaning most rely on privately owned bicycles. The London Cycling Campaign told the LDRS: "The continued lack of secure cycle storage in London is a major barrier to cycling growth, with people who live in flats most affected." A 2023 Clean Cities study found a waiting list of 60,000 for cycle hangar spaces across the capital. While Hackney and Waltham Forest each have over 1,000 hangars (each holding six bikes), other boroughs have only a few dozen.
Cycling in London has grown to 1.5 million journeys daily, leading to storage shortages in some areas. The London Cycling Campaign urged: "Cycling is good for the climate, for public health and helps reduce congestion – lack of cycle storage should not be a major obstacle to cycle use. We want the waiting list for cycle storage in London to shrink to zero."
Mayor reviewing standards
A spokesperson for the Mayor said: "As we develop the new London Plan, we are reviewing all policy areas to ensure they reflect how Londoners live and travel today. This includes updating our cycle parking standards to reflect the rise of e-scooters, dockless bike hire, and the expanded Santander Cycles network as well as feedback about the use of cycle parking and the challenging issues currently facing development." The goal, they added, is to balance practical realities while supporting cycling growth for a safer, greener London.
