Racers taking part in the Hackney Half Marathon this weekend were greeted by an unusual sight: a 'sea of Lime bikes' flooding Mabley Green. The e-bikes were lined up in rows across the green park, prompting social media users to compare the phenomenon to migrating animals. One Instagram user posted a video of the bikes accompanied by a voice clip of David Attenborough speaking about 'migrating herds'.
Runner Praises Lime Bikes for Convenience
Marathon runner Lizzy Pollot, 43, who has competed in the Hackney Half since 2015, says she relies on Lime bikes to get around London. In a social media post, the stand-up comedian from Highbury, north London, called the event the 'Super Bowl' for rental e-bikes. 'I always Lime bike around London, because it's just the best, it's the fastest, it's the most sustainable,' she said. 'All the roads are closed during race days, so it's one of the main ways everyone gets there. Lime is really good, because the organisers tell you in advance where to park up, and they have designated parking areas.'
Lizzy, who has run marathons worldwide, said she saw 'hundreds' of e-bikes parked in designated areas near the event. Comparing London to New York, she added: 'With the New York marathon, famously, you have to get a boat and then you're put on a school bus – it's trickier, and it takes a lot longer. With New York, you already feel like you've run a marathon, because just getting to the start is such a long journey. Which is why it's just such a breath of fresh air in places like London, where there's plenty of Limes to take the stress out of the day, I guess.'
Race Organisers Implement Geo-Fencing
Race organisers said they worked with e-bike operators to 'install a geo-fence around the race route', meaning bikes could not be parked outside of designated zones. This measure aimed to prevent the kind of obstructive parking that has caused friction in other parts of London.
Islington Council Threatens Action Over Parking Issues
Not every area in London is a fan of the e-bikes, however. In December, Islington Council threatened to kick out Lime and Forest e-bikes if the companies did not resolve 'persistent problems' plaguing residents. The council sent a letter to the operators demanding action on obstructive parking, nighttime noise, and antisocial behaviour, which 'remain unresolved.'
The leader of Islington Council, Una O'Halloran, and executive council member Rowena Champion, urged the operators to address obstructive parking blocking pavements and causing hazards, to activate geofencing on estates, and to ensure bays are not overflowing. Lime and Forest were also required to report the number of bikes available in the borough and improve enforcement, including bike removal, pavement access, and bike tracking.
Residents have complained of e-bike 'madness,' with bikes seen blocking pavements and taking up residents' parking spaces on streets like Avenell Road, and at the corner of Greens Lane and Clissold Park.
Operators Respond to Concerns
Forest's head of policy, Alex Berwin, said: 'As London's homegrown shared e-bike operator, we care deeply about making a positive impact in the city and the communities we serve. Millions of journeys are made on Forest bikes in Islington each year, helping cut congestion and improve air quality, and we remain committed to being a responsible operator and a constructive partner to Islington Council. We recognise that the service must work well for everyone, and we take the issues raised seriously. That is why we are investing heavily in better parking technology, in-app guidance and clear instructions to help users park responsibly and reduce street clutter. Our local team also responds quickly when issues are reported to help ensure bikes don't cause obstruction or inconvenience.'
A spokesperson for Lime said: 'We've worked in partnership with Islington Council for 6 years, and share their view that rental e-bikes play a valuable role in improving congestion, air quality, and public health in the borough and across London. Record demand for our service has led to some parking challenges in Islington, which we're working to address through our London Action Plan, with more investment in dedicated parking bays. This includes helping fund over 100 in Islington this year – and an increased on-street team tidying misparked bikes and overcrowded bays faster than ever.'
