A prominent London council has unveiled plans to launch more electric bike parking bays to help tackle inconsiderate parking in the area.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has started increasing the number of rental e-bike parking bays across the borough following feedback from residents who raised concerns about bikes blocking pavements and the impact on disabled people and families with pushchairs.
The new plan will add to the existing 100 parking bays already in operation, and will impose stricter rules on e-bike operators to ensure the bikes are not dumped on pavements.
The agreement with Voi and Bolt and existing providers like Lime and Forest aim to give riders more choice and, most importantly, improve standards.
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The new code of behaviour means that for the first time, the council can enforce strict limits on how many bikes can be in the borough at any one time.
Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier said: "Rental e-bikes give people a genuinely convenient way to get around the borough and will continue to play a key role in taking climate action and boosting active travel in H&F.
"But residents have also told us loud and clear that bikes abandoned on pavements are causing real problems, especially for older residents, Disabled people and families with pushchairs."
The new bays will be installed along kerbside spaces which have not been used by vehicles to minimise the loss of existing car parking spaces and to keep pavements clear for pedestrians.
The council has put in place more than 100 e-bike parking spots
|HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM COUNCIL
"With the growing number of parking bays, that means better coverage across more streets and neighbourhoods, so there's a bike nearby whenever you need one," the Labour councillor for West Kensington explained.
Giulio del Balzo, senior public policy manager at Bolt, said electric bikes were "one of the best tools" to get around a city without using a car.
Meanwhile, Alice Pleasant, senior public affairs manager at Lime, explained that getting parking right is key to making the service work well.
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E-bikes have been found to be blocking pavements in London | PAShe added: "We've already seen how more clearly designated bays are making a real difference - helping riders park more easily and keeping pavements clear for everyone in the borough.
"We've seen incredible demand for Lime in Hammersmith & Fulham, with more people choosing e-bikes for everyday trips and to connect to public transport."
Harry Foskin, senior public policy manager at Voi Technology, added that the council's approach rightly sets firm rules and holds all operators to account for their performance.
The councillor hoped the new rules would reduce the number of e-bikes left on pavements
|HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM COUNCIL
He explained how the move aligns with Voi's commitment to show that a more responsible approach to e-bike operations is possible in London.
"This expansion means our riders can now enjoy seamless, sustainable journeys across even more of the city, cycling confidently and conveniently from west to east," the expert stated.
This latest move will also involve a crackdown on users who fail to park their bikes properly and allocate more tools for the council to fine operators for surplus bikes.