Prime Minister Andy Burnham gives major e-bike update as ‘new rules’ planned

There is an aim to establish national standards

The Government has pledged to crack down on the “wild west” of e-bike parking with a proposed set of national standards. On Thursday, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on proposed new rules to improve shared e-bike schemes, such as Lime, Voi and Forest, which covered issues including parking and fleet management plans to ensure bikes are not overcrowding streets.

The proposals also include a plan to tackle antisocial and illegal behaviour such as drunk cycling, riding on pavements or underage users. Potential insurance requirements for operators also form part of the consultation, which would mean people can claim compensation if they are hit by a rider on a shared e-bike.

Establishing national standards will aim to end the current “patchwork of rules” for operating e-bike schemes in different areas, the Department for Transport said. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that while e-bikes can make travel a bit easier, they can be a “real frustration” when they block pavements or are used “irresponsibly”.

“I want to sort that by giving communities more control over where they are parked and making sure companies and riders play by the rules,” he said. “While making the big, long-term changes to make transport better and more affordable for people across the country, this is a small but important everyday fix to make our streets safer.”

‘Decisive action’ on e-bikes

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Shared e-bike schemes have revolutionised the way people travel around our towns and cities. They are easy to use, get us active and help reduce emissions, but we need to make sure they work with the communities where they operate. That’s why we are taking decisive action to give local leaders the power to stop nuisance parking, tackle antisocial behaviour and make journeys safer.”

In the capital, the Transport Secretary is working with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan on devolving new powers to Transport for London (TfL) to standardise the implementation and enforcement of e-bike rules across the city, ending differences between boroughs.

“The ‘Wild West’ approach to dockless e-bikes cannot continue,” the mayor said. “While these services are helping thousands more Londoners to cycle, their rapid growth has also brought challenges around safety, inconsiderate parking, and the lack of data needed to properly manage them.”

He added: “For too long, cities have been left without the tools needed to properly manage these services, despite clear evidence that the current approach is not working.”

E-bike operators back changes

Agustin Guilisasti, founder and chief executive of Forest, said: “To see London becoming a cycling city is something to celebrate. But to achieve this, we need national standards, and a coherent, well-regulated, London-wide system – better for riders and, importantly, better for pedestrians and the city.

“With around 350,000 shared e-bike trips taken every day in London, this is a real opportunity to work with government and local leaders to make cycling an easy, everyday choice. That means enough bikes in the right places and enough parking, so people can arrive easily and park responsibly – for calmer streets, cleaner air and a city that moves.”

Lime’s chief executive Wayne Ting said: “Lime’s unmatched experience in working with cities to build and grow UK e-bike schemes means we know what it takes to make shared cycling work at scale. It’s why we recognise the current patchwork approach is confusing for riders, councils and operators, all of whom deserve greater clarity and certainty.

“Today’s consultation is an important step forward. We look forward to working with Government and local authorities to help deliver schemes that work for riders, operators and everyone in the communities we serve, all for a greener and more connected UK.”

Eleanor Briggs, head of policy, public affairs and campaigns at charity Guide Dogs, said the national standards would give “much-needed powers to tackle dangerous parking and unsafe use”.

“For people with sight loss, badly parked rental e-bikes are a barrier to independent travel, blocking pavements, creating unexpected obstacles and making it harder to navigate safely,” she said.