Dozens of Lime e-bikes have been dumped in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, creating what locals describe as a “bike graveyard” and blocking pedestrian access. The 370-metre pedestrian crossing under the Thames has seen repeated incidents of discarded bikes piling up, prompting safety concerns and warnings from Greenwich Council.
Recurring issue blocks tunnel lifts
Images shared on social media, including a Reddit post, showed Lime bikes piled at one end of the tunnel, effectively blocking the lift to street level. This raised concerns about accessibility for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues. When MyLondon visited the site after contacting Lime, the tunnel had been cleared of obstructions, though one non-Lime for-hire bike remained abandoned inside.
Social media commenters noted that the lifts at the North Tower Hamlets end of the tunnel have recently been out of order, leaving riders with the choice of dragging bikes up the stairs or abandoning them. This operational issue was cited as a contributing factor to the dumping.
Lime fines and bans offenders
In response to the frequent videos of the “bike graveyard,” Lime said it has been cracking down on the behaviour by fining offenders or banning them completely if they are repeat offenders. A Lime spokesperson stated: “Poor parking is an issue we take very seriously, and we never want our e-bikes to get in anyone’s way. We communicate clearly in our app that the Greenwich foot tunnel is a no-ride and no-parking zone, and users who break these rules will be fined and banned from using our service.”
The spokesperson added: “Our on-street team also regularly removes our bikes from the tunnel, with the majority of vehicles moved within hours of being reported.” Since the issue was first reported in 2022, Lime has implemented a “no-go” zone around the tunnel, preventing people from cycling through the passageway.
Council warns of sustainability questions
Councillor Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste and Streets at Greenwich Council, said the “recurring” issue needed to be addressed urgently. He warned that if it continued, “questions will be asked about their suitability to operate in our borough.”
Councillor O’Byrne Mulligan said: “E-hire bikes are a useful option for residents, but for everyone’s safety they are prohibited in both foot tunnels. This is clearly indicated by signs, and we expect e-bike operators to enforce these rules, including fining those who leave bikes in tunnels.”
He added: “The operating agreement we have with Lime and the imminent agreement we will have with Forest require them to remove abandoned bikes within two hours from both tunnels to prevent obstruction and potential safety risks. We have also made it clear that this is a recurring issue with e-bike operators that must be addressed urgently, and if they fail to do this, questions will be asked about their suitability to operate in our borough.”
The council is also working to maintain reliable step-free access in both foot tunnels and collaborating with neighbouring boroughs, Tower Hamlets and Newham, to improve safety and accessibility for all users of these vital crossings.
