Allow TfL to regulate e-Bikes and scooters – London Assembly

The estimated 40,000 e-bikes in operation in the capital are increasingly being abandoned on pavements, causing difficulties for all Londoners – and particularly those with visual or mobility impairments.

In a motion agreed today, the London Assembly called for Transport for London (TfL) and other strategic transport authorities to be given the power to regulate micromobility markets, such as e-bikes and e-scooter operators.

The Assembly wants the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, to ask the government to grant strategic transport authorities, like TfL, powers to regulate micromobility markets and develop micromobility schemes for their areas in partnership with local authorities through the English Devolution Bill.

Elly Baker AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“As dockless e-bikes grow in popularity across London, with around 40,000 now in operation across 22 boroughs, it’s clear that we need effective oversight to address the challenges they bring. Currently, neither TfL nor local boroughs have the legal powers to manage these services, relying instead on operators’ goodwill to respect local agreements. 

“This lack of regulation has resulted in blocked pavements, street clutter, and other accessibility issues, particularly impacting those with mobility or visual impairments and parents with young children.

“I am calling on the Government to grant regulatory authority to TfL through the English Devolution Bill.”

Hina Bokhari AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“In order for hire e-bikes and e-scooters to remain an option that is safe and accessible, clear regulation is needed to ensure streets and walkways remain usable, especially for those with visual or mobility impairments.

“The Mayor must now lobby the Government to give local powers - whether it be through the Greater London Authority or local boroughs - to resolve problems with the hire schemes on behalf of residents.”

The full text of the motion is:

The Assembly notes that rented dockless e-bikes are an increasingly popular mode of transport in London and currently operate across 22 boroughs, with an estimated 40,000 e-bikes in operation.

Neither Transport for London nor London boroughs have the legal powers to manage these services. Instead, boroughs must rely on the goodwill of operators to adhere to the terms of agreements. In several boroughs, e-bikes are operated and deployed without the local authority’s consent.

Issues with abandoned and poorly parked e-bikes have proliferated since their introduction, including blocked pavements and excessive street clutter, particularly in areas of high usage. This is creating a range of difficulties for all Londoners, particularly for people with visual or mobility impairments, and those pushing children in buggies. 

The Assembly calls on:

• The Mayor and Chair of the Assembly to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, to call on the Government to legislate, through the English Devolution Bill, to grant strategic transport authorities, like TfL, powers to regulate micromobility markets and develop micromobility schemes for their areas in partnership with local authorities. 
• The Mayor to update the Assembly on his work with London Councils to explore the use of a single pan-London contract to manage e-bikes and e-scooters with the objectives of regulating fleet size, improving parking service quality, and increasing data sharing.
• The Mayor and Chair of the Assembly to write to the two main dockless e-bike providers, demanding that they better engage with TfL and London Councils to address the issues being caused by dockless e-bikes.