E-bike rental firms charged £210k in council crackdown on poorly parked bikes

In a statement, it said that more than 1,200 of the 2,500 e-bikes seized had been removed from the borough's streets in 2026 alone. The remaining 1,315 e-bikes were seized during 2025.

The seizures have also resulted in more than £210,000 in fees to rental firms to date, with the council successfully receiving over £179,000 in payments from all of the major operators.

The council removes rental bikes where they meet certain stipulations, which align with section 149(2) of the Highways Act. These include instances in which:

• Bikes are lying across the highway, obstructing safe passage.
• Bikes are positioned on the pavement in a way that forces pedestrians to step into the road to pass.
• Bikes are likely to fall over, posing a risk of injury to pedestrians.
• Bikes are situated in the road in a manner that endangers drivers or pedestrians.

Section 149(2) allows highway authorities to immediately remove any unlawfully deposited item from a public road or pavement that they consider a danger.

If bikes do not meet these criteria, but are parked outside a designated bay, they are reported to operators who have two hours to remove the bikes, in line with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by operators and the council.

Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Kensington & Chelsea's lead member for resident services, planning and enforcement, said the removals send a "very clear message - park in a bay, or we’ll take it away".

He added: "If bikes are dumped across pavements, blocking crossings or creating a danger for residents and road users, we will take action.

"We also need operators to do their bit by clearing obstructions quickly, covering the cost when we have to intervene, and doing more to encourage considerate rider behaviour.”

Adam Carey