Government bids to end e-bike ‘wild west’ with new national rules
News
New powers for English councils aim to address anti-social use of shared cycles such as Lime bikes
MA
Matt Allan
6 November 2026, 09:52 GMT · 3 min read
Add as a preferred source on Google
The Government is set to introduce new national standards for shared e-bikes in an effort to crack down on pavement blocking and antisocial behaviour.
Ministers have launched a consultation to look at new guidelines around parking, registration and usage, along with giving local councils in England more power to licence and regulate operators.
The plans aim to set out clear national guidelines on parking, fleet sizes and areas of operation and potential insurance requirements.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the consultation would help end the “frustration” around inconsiderate use.
The use of shared e-bikes, which can be hired by the minute, has exploded in the last eight years and it is estimated that more than 2.6 million people use them every year. Lime is the UK’s biggest operator, but other companies running schemes around the UK include Voi, Beryl, Dott, Forest and Bolt.
While they have been hailed for their convenience and making zero-emissions transport more accessible, there are increasing problems with abandoned bikes blocking pavements as well as dangerous riding.
The proposals would see local councils in England given the power over licensing of e-bike sharing schemes, including being able to set limits of fleet sizes and where they operate, as well as minimum maintenance standards. They could also see councils force operators to have insurance so anyone hit by a shared cycle user can claim compensation.
National guidelines would also set out rules around parking of e-bikes and look at ways to address illegal usage such as by riders who are drunk or underage.
The consultation will also examine whether councils should have powers over the fees charged by operators and whether they should have to share ride data to help with traffic enforcement and planning.
Burham said: “E-bikes can make getting around that bit easier, but when they block pavements or are used irresponsibly, they can be a real frustration.
“I want to sort that by giving communities more control over where they are parked and making sure companies and riders play by the rules.
“While making the big, long-term changes to make transport better and more affordable for people across the country, this is a small but important everyday fix to make our streets safer.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said that operators had been calling for more regulation of their own industry to end “a patchwork of rules”. She noted: “Shared e-bike schemes have revolutionised the way people travel around our towns and cities. They are easy to use, get us active and help reduce emissions, but we need to make sure they work with the communities where they operate.
“That’s why we are taking decisive action to give local leaders the power to stop nuisance parking, tackle antisocial behaviour and make journeys safer.”
In London, the Department for Transport is working with Transport for London (TfL) on devolving similar new powers to TfL to ensure the same rules are implemented and enforced across every London borough.
Lime CEO Wayne Ting said he recognised that the current patchwork of rules across different cities and council areas was confusing for riders, operators and authorities. He said; “Today’s consultation is an important step forward. We look forward to working with government and local authorities to help deliver schemes that work for riders, operators, and everyone in the communities we serve.”