Council seizes more than 100 dumped e-bikes this month

A council has seized more than 100 dumped e-bikes this month to keep pavements clear across the borough.

Officers from Hammersmith and Fulham’s law enforcement team and parking team have started to remove bikes that are parked in an “illegal” or “anti-social” way.

A spokesperson from the council said if the operators fail to remove their bikes, “the council will do it”, with operators being charged for the additional cost of seizing and storing the confiscated bikes.

The council’s crackdown on e-bike bandits follows the rollout of a new reporting tool for residents earlier this year.

Since its launch, the council said it has received more than 1,500 reports of e-bikes blocking walkways and roads.

Councillor Sharon Holder, Hammersmith and Fulham cabinet member for the public realm, said: “It’s great that more people are choosing to cycle rather than drive. 

“But too many bikes are being parked dangerously on pavements, causing big problems for older and disabled people and families pushing babies.

“We’re asking people who hire a bike to be considerate and park safely.

“And we’ve made it clear to the companies that they need to step up enforcement of the rules.”

The council are urging residents to use the Lime, Dott, TIER and HumanForest apps to check where you can park.

Jessica Hall, Head of Public Policy at TIER for for the UK and Ireland, said: “We have a longstanding and positive relation with Hammersmith and Fulham council and we are in regular communication with them around any parking issues in the borough.

“We have a very high parking compliance rate, and users must insert our steel-rod locking mechanism through the rear wheel to end their ride which ensures our e-bikes cannot be ‘hacked’.

“However, a small number of users do break our terms and conditions.

“Repeat offenders face being banned from using our service. Furthermore we do sometimes find that vehicles which have been parked safely by our users in accordance with local regulations are then knocked over or moved intentionally which can cause obstructions for pedestrians. We are working with the relevant authorities to tackle the issue.”

Lime, Dott, and HumanForest have been approached for comment.

Pictured top: A Hammersmith and Fulham council officer moving a TIER e-bike blocking the pavement (Picture: Hammersmith and Fulham council)