Westminster City Council has issued more than 5,000 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to dockless bike operators for poorly parked bikes since the start of the 2026-27 financial year, a dramatic increase from 1,259 in the previous year. The council has also seized over 1,000 bikes, with enforcement focused on 20 hotspots in the West End and St James's wards.
Sharp rise in fines and seizures
According to a Westminster City Council sub-committee, the enforcement crackdown on irresponsible dockless bike parking has resulted in over 5,000 FPNs being issued since April 2026. If the current rate continues, the council could issue 9,648 FPNs by the end of the year – a potential seven-fold increase compared to the previous year.
Just over £300,000 in FPNs and seizure costs has been levied against dockless bike operators. Over 1,000 dockless bikes have been seized this year in cases where obstruction and safety issues are causing the most concern.
Hotspots and enforcement focus
Enforcement is mostly concentrated around 20 hotspots for irresponsible dockless bike parking, many of which are in the West End and St James's wards, the sub-committee heard. Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Caroline Sargent, said: “Sometimes hundreds of bikes are really seriously blocking the road, going into the road. So that is where the main seizure action is taking place, but the enforcement action is taking place in every ward.”
“The issuing of FPNs is taking place everywhere. And there have been seizures that have taken place outside of those 20 hotspots too, but that is where most of it has been focused to date,” Sargent added.
Opposition questions effectiveness
The Tory-led crackdown has faced scrutiny from the opposition Labour group. Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Ellie Ormsby, said: “This equates to around six bikes a day. In a city like Westminster, where e-bikes are so prevalent, this barely scratches the surface.”
Cllr Sargent said that every Westminster City Council inspector has been trained on issuing FPNs. The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that there are two inspectors who cover bike seizures specifically.
Future measures and collaboration
The council said it recognises the need for more parking bays to account for increased demand for dockless bikes and to compensate for “problematic bays” it has removed. Westminster City Council has been working with major operators to share data and improve removal of carelessly parked bikes, including better real-time information on bike numbers and locations.
A Policy and Scrutiny Cabinet Member Update reads: “Officers are also currently working on revised versions of our binding Collaboration Agreements which will require greater data-sharing requirements and transparency from the operators, improved clarity on operating requirements, while also imposing stronger penalties where they fail to work with us in keeping our streets clear and safe.”
