Tower Hamlets Council has issued nearly 1,000 fines to dockless e-bike operators over the past six months for bikes left blocking pavements and streets. The council’s highways team and enforcement officers handed out 996 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) under the Highways Act 1980 for wilful obstruction, which includes blocking or hindering free passage along a highway.
Fines and enforcement details
The fines target operators such as Lime, Forest and Voi, whose users are required to leave bikes in designated parking bays. However, across London, bikes are frequently left strewn on pavements, creating hazards for pedestrians. Each FPN under the Highways Act currently costs £100, reduced to £50 if paid early.
Westminster Council has issued more than 5,000 FPNs to operators since the start of the 2026-27 financial year, compared with 1,259 during the previous year, highlighting the scale of the problem across the capital.
Geofencing and future restrictions
Tower Hamlets has told MyLondon that it is “exploring geofencing restrictions” to prevent bikes being left in unsuitable locations, including around Island Gardens. Island Gardens and Greenwich Foot Tunnel are two areas where dockless e-bikes often block pavements, as riders typically walk through the tunnel.
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: “Over the past six months, Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers have issued 996 Fixed Penalty Notices to dockless bike operators for contraventions. We are also exploring extending geofencing restrictions with operators to help prevent bikes from being left in unsuitable locations, including around Island Gardens.”
New regulatory powers ahead
Currently, Inner London boroughs and those to the east and west manage e-bike operations through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with operators, outlining responsibilities and obligations. However, the English Devolution Act and Community Empowerment Act 2026 have enabled the Secretary of State for Transport to give TfL statutory powers to establish a licensing framework for dockless micromobility schemes.
The Mayor of London has set out plans to crack down on dockless e-bikes, including improving vehicle safety, tackling unsafe parking, and introducing a single set of clear rules for use across London. Dockless e-bikes now account for a tenth of the 1.5 million daily cycling journeys in London, according to TfL estimates.
Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Transport Strategy and Policy, said: “We welcome the legislation which will provide us with powers to regulate dockless bikes across the capital. Once we have details of the new licensing framework from the Government, we will work at pace with boroughs and other stakeholders to be in a position to take on the powers we expect to be given as a licensing authority.”
She added: “This will give us the ability to replace the current patchwork, borough-by-borough approach with a consistent London-wide licensing scheme, which will put safety first and tackle unsafe parking, while ensuring dockless bikes can continue to contribute to the capital's cycling boom. We'll be setting out detailed proposals in due course.”
