TfL issues fines for e-bikes abandoned on roads

Bike hire companies Lime and Forest have both been fined by TfL

Transport for London (TfL) has started issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to bike hire companies Lime and Forest for e-bikes abandoned on the city's roads.

TfL said it had given 333 FPNs to both companies and it had also sent out more than 190 warning letters to the two operators.

The transport authority said it set out a new enforcement policy last year for dockless rental e-bikes parking on the road network and had given operators until January "to familiarise themselves with the policy and take relevant action".

Forest said it recognised "there is more work to do" and Lime said it takes the issue of poor parking "very seriously".

TfL uses CCTV cameras to gather evidence of e-bikes obstructing roads

TfL said it used CCTV cameras to gather evidence of e-bikes obstructing public highways.

It started issuing FPNs earlier this year to the relevant rental operator with a fine of £100, which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

In an answer to a question from London Assembly member Joanne McCartney, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said dockless rental e-bikes "were an important part of London's transport network", but poor parking of the bikes "can cause significant safety issues and impact the accessibility of our streets".

The mayor said since January, TfL has been "actively enforcing the issue of e-bikes abandoned on the TfL road network", which began with warning letters to Forest and Lime, followed by fines.

Around 5% of London's roads are designated as red routes and are the responsibility of TfL.

Typically the most important roads, they have red no-stopping lines and signs along the route.

The fines issued by TfL only relate to e-bikes on red routes.

TfL is responsible for London's most important roads, called red routes

Will Jansen, from Forest, said it was "working closely" with TfL to improve parking compliance.

He said no parking zones had been introduced to "sensitive areas" - including TfL-managed red routes - and the operator would continue to use technology to reduce poorly parked bikes.

Lime said it also uses AI to ensure e-bikes are parked appropriately and it was investing £5m this year to create more than 2,500 dedicated parking spaces.

In December, the government said it intended to legislate to give new powers to local transport authorities in England to regulate bike hire schemes, which would allow TfL to introduce city-wide regulations.