Lime to bring in smaller e-bikes and GPS to tackle parking mayhem and safety concerns

The move comes after widespread complaints about bikes being left in the wrong places, blocking pavements and causing problems for pedestrians.

Lime explained how the new bikes are designed to improve safety and reduce street clutter, a problem which has been consistently raised by local authorities.

The new models are smaller than before, with 20-inch wheels and a more compact frame, meaning they take up less space on busy pavements.

The bikes also include improved sensors and upgraded GPS tracking, which aim to make it easier for Lime to monitor where bikes are parked and help ensure users leave them in designated bays.

Under the current Lime rules, riders who do not park correctly can face fines of up to £20.

Lime's chief technology officer, Jon Jenkins, said GPS has been a challenge in cities like London.

He explained: "A traditional GPS signal in a city like London gets affected by tall buildings, because it blocks your view of the satellites. It's only accurate to within about 12.3 miles, which is not very accurate."

The company says its new system is a big improvement. Jenkins said: "This vehicle can give us its location accurate to within 1.5 miles, so we know that when this is being parked in a parking bay, it's actually in that parking bay."

The changes come as councils across London take a tougher approach to e-bike operators.

Some boroughs have fined companies like Lime for parking violations, while others have seized bikes or limited the number allowed on their streets. In some areas, officials have even considered replacing Lime with rival providers.

In Richmond upon Thames, for example, councillors have raised concerns that the number of bikes on the streets has gone far beyond agreed limits.

Local leaders said that while most riders follow the rules, a small number of poorly parked bikes can cause major frustration.

The new bikes also include stronger locking systems to help tackle theft, which has been an ongoing issue in parts of London.

Stolen bikes sometimes emit a soft alarm sound, which has become a familiar noise in some areas.

There have also been concerns about safety and injuries linked to e-bikes. Some doctors warned that they are seeing more patients with injuries connected to riding these heavier bikes.

However, Lime said it has not seen evidence of a wider pattern of injuries linked specifically to its bikes in the UK.

Reports of injuries linked to Lime bikes have grown, including cases dubbed "Lime bike leg", where the heavy bikes, weighing around 35kg, fall onto riders.

But Lime has pushed back on the claims, saying it has seen "no identifiable trend relating to leg injuries among Lime riders in the UK".

Mr Jenkins said: "We've designed this model to be more inclusive, more intuitive, and more adaptable - you don't have to be clad in Lycra to enjoy the Lime Bike."

Despite the criticism, e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular in London, with official figures showing they now account for a growing share of cycling-related injuries.

Lime explained how its latest changes are part of its effort to improve the service, reduce disruption on streets and continue operating in London while addressing concerns from councils and residents.

Industry figures have cautiously welcomed the changes, with Tom Fyans, chief executive of the London Cycling Campaign, stating, "it's an excellent addition".

He said: "Anything that makes cycling more inclusive is good. They seem to be more 'women-friendly'. Anything that gives people confidence to get on a bike is a good thing."