Westminster moves to end dockless bike ‘free-for-all’

Westminster City Council is taking a stand against “nuisance” dockless bikes by seizing those left dumped across its roads and pavements.

The council says hundreds of dockless bikes are being abandoned every day, creating a significant safety risk – particularly for disabled and elderly residents or visitors.

It adds the severity of the issue has grown throughout the year with people returning to the city following the end of Covid restrictions.

In recent weeks, the council has attempted to engage with the major dockless bike operators and encourage them to ‘take responsibility for their infrastructure’.

While the council still hopes to ‘find a solution which improves cycling’, it has now instructed officers to remove and seize any bikes which are causing dangerous obstructions

The council is also looking at options to charge operators the cost of removing the bikes, with the money being reinvested in cycling infrastructure.

Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, cabinet member for city management and air quality, said: “Trying to walk down some of our streets has become like attempting an obstacle course and we are fed up finding these bikes dumped across the city.

“Anyone in town this summer will see these cycles abandoned. It’s a nuisance and potentially dangerous, especially for those with disabilities.

“We’ve contacted the major dockless bike operators and made it clear that if they don’t remove their bikes from the pavement the council will – and we’ll charge them for doing so.

“Westminster City Council is supportive of cycling and the many benefits it brings, particularly when it comes to cleaning up air quality. 

“We want to find a solution that works for everyone but, in the meantime, people living and visiting Westminster shouldn’t have to put up with this every day.”


10 August 2022