E-bike users in a north London borough could soon see their favourite hire schemes vanish from the streets. Islington Council has put operators Lime and Forest on a final warning, threatening to ban them if persistent problems are not resolved.
The Council's Final Ultimatum
In a stark move, Islington Council has informed the two prominent e-bike hire companies that they are on their 'last warning'. The authority demands swift action to tackle dangerous parking and reckless rider behaviour. If the firms fail to deal with the issues, they risk losing their permission to operate in the borough entirely.
The council's concerns are specific and numerous. They cite bikes blocking pavements, causing night-time noise disturbances, riders running red lights, and parking bays that consistently overflow. These problems, they argue, create ongoing disruption for residents and local businesses.
Investments and Warnings
Despite adding 115 dedicated bike hire bays over the past year, the council says it has been forced to remove more than 200 bikes that were dangerously parked. The open letter to the companies, signed by council leader Una O'Halloran and executive member Rowena Champion, was unequivocal.
'Hire bike operators must take action to address dangerous, unsafe parking and poor rider behaviour,' they wrote. 'To make hire bike usage a fair and sustainable option in Islington we need you the operators to act and do so swiftly, decisively, and effectively.'
The letter concluded with a clear threat: 'We welcomed you to the borough because of the benefits that hire bikes bring – but without urgent action on these issues, this welcome will be withdrawn.'
Company Responses and London-Wide Crackdown
Both companies have responded to the council's demands. Alex Berwin, Forest's head of policy, stated that the company takes the issues seriously. 'We are investing heavily in better parking technology, in-app guidance and clear instructions to help users park responsibly,' he said, adding that local teams respond quickly to reports.
A spokesperson for Lime expressed a commitment to working with Islington Council to minimise disruption, especially at night. They echoed the council's sentiment on the value of rental e-bikes, stating they 'share their view that rental e-bikes play a valuable role in improving congestion, air quality, and public health in the borough and across London.'
This confrontation is part of a broader London-wide trend. Boroughs including Hounslow, Brent, Wandsworth, Lewisham, and the City of London have all implemented stricter rules for e-bike and e-scooter hire schemes over the past year, aiming to curb irresponsible use.
