Powers to prevent 'irresponsible' e-bike parking among number of proposed Government actions on cycling rules
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
New powers to give local leaders greater control over shared e-bike schemes, including tackling nuisance parking and antisocial behaviour, are among a number of proposed changes to how shared cycling services operate in England.
The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on national standards for shared e-bike schemes, which would allow local leaders to licence operators and enforce minimum standards around parking, rider behaviour, fleet sizes, operating areas and maintenance.
The proposals are aimed specifically at shared schemes such as Lime, Voi, Beryl, Dott, Forest and Bolt, with the Government looking to address the current patchwork of rules governing how rental e-bikes operate in different areas.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “E-bikes can make getting around that bit easier, but when they block pavements or are used irresponsibly, they can be a real frustration. 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. 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.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said shared e-bike schemes had “revolutionised” how people travel around towns and cities, but said the Government needed to ensure they worked with the communities where they operate by giving local leaders powers to tackle nuisance parking, antisocial behaviour and safety concerns.
The proposed national standards would include parking plans, measures to tackle illegal and antisocial behaviour such as riding on pavements, riding while drunk and underage use, defined fleet sizes and operating areas, maintenance plans and potentially insurance requirements for operators.
The Government is also considering giving local leaders powers to set operator fees and require data sharing, while in London it is working with the Mayor and Transport for London on devolving powers to create more consistent rules and enforcement across the capital.
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: “Be it bikes, bins or cars, blocked pavements are unacceptable, particularly when they prevent disabled people from getting around safely. We absolutely need to sort this out. That’s why I’m delighted the government is stepping in to give local leaders the powers they need to tackle the problem and make sure these schemes work for everyone. But we shouldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Shared bike use is booming, and that’s exactly what we want to see – affordable, healthy, low-carbon transport, available when you need it.
"Whether it’s a short hop across town, the daily commute or an unplanned journey, shared bikes offer predictable journey times and another option when other transport is disrupted. The demand is clearly there. Now we need to manage that success properly, keeping pavements clear while enabling even more people to enjoy the benefits.”
In response to the news, e-bike campaigners have highlighted that the proposals are specifically focused on shared rental e-bike schemes and give local authorities greater control over parking, fleet sizes, maintenance, insurance and rider behaviour. Campaigners have also stressed the importance of distinguishing dockless rental e-bikes from privately owned, road-legal e-bikes, with concerns that problems linked to rental schemes could affect public confidence in e-bikes more broadly.
The wider work on e-bike safety, responsible use and public confidence through E-Bike Positive has also been highlighted, with the scheme now having secured inclusion in Department for Transport, Cycle to Work and TfL guidance, alongside work with ministers and policymakers. E-Bike Positive, a trust mark run in collaboration between the ACT and the Bicycle Association, helps consumers identify e-bikes that meet UK legal and safety requirements while supporting retailers and brands that meet the scheme's standards.
The consultation is part of the Government’s wider active travel programme, which includes £4.5 billion of investment over the next five years and a recent £104 million investment in cycling routes. Responses to the shared cycle scheme licensing consultation can be submitted until 31 December 2026.
Only approved E-bike Positive retailers can display the Trust Mark. If you haven’t signed up yet, join the growing network of retailers and brands committed to best practice, trusted products and safer e-bike retailing across the UK. View the retailer commitment and sign up by clicking here.