By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-01 15:00:38 | Updated at 2026-10-01 16:01:09
1 hour ago
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for new powers to regulate dockless electric bikes across the capital to end the "Wild West" situation currently being experienced.
Sir Sadiq Khan is working with the Department for Transport to formalise powers to regulate e-bikes, as he seeks to end "patchwork" rules for individual boroughs.
The Mayor has doubled down on his calls to create a London-wide licensing and regulatory framework, having suggested the idea when dockless e-bikes were first introduced in 2017.
Under new terms included in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, the Transport Secretary can give Transport for London the power to establish a framework for dockless micromobility schemes.
The new framework would replace the current approach determined by individual boroughs and instead have consistent London-wide regulations for rental bike schemes.
Transport for London stated that this would help to manage bike numbers, improve safety and parking, and strengthen links to public transport.
Further secondary legislation and Government guidance is required before the new framework is introduced.
TfL noted that the Department for Transport and the Transport Secretary are expected to launch consultations on this plans in the future.
Sadiq Khan has announced a major crackdown on electric bikes
PA
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is attempting to speed the process up by setting out ambitions for TfL to use the new powers.
He emphasised that this would support the growth of active travel methods, while ensuring high standards for rental e-bikes across the capital.
One of the crucial measures highlighted by the Mayor's new plan is to tackle unsafe parking of rental electric bikes, which has become a serious issue in recent years.
The Mayor's ambitions place priority to clearing poorly parked dockless bikes, with the aim of protecting pedestrian spaces and resolving issues quickly.
The new measures would crack down on poorly parked dockless rental e-bikes
The Mayor and TfL have provided £1.7million to London boroughs to fund micromobility parking spaces, adding to the 36,000 existing spaces.
Sir Khan said: "The 'Wild West' approach to dockless e-bikes cannot continue. While these services are helping thousands more Londoners to cycle, their rapid growth has also brought challenges around safety, inconsiderate parking, and the lack of data needed to properly manage them.
"I've been calling for powers to better manage dockless e-bike schemes since 2017, when the first schemes arrived in London, so I welcome the Government’s plans to give cities the powers they need to do this.
"For too long, cities have been left without the tools needed to properly manage these services, despite clear evidence that the current approach is not working."
E-bikes have been growing in popularity across London in recent years
The Mayor added that he would continue to work closely with operators to ensure they fully engage with TfL and London boroughs to ensure services work well.
Daily bike trips across the capital are up 43 per cent since 2019, while London's Cycleways network has grown fivefold over the last decade.
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."
