Ealing Council has approved new powers to seize e-bikes without a court order when they pose a danger to pedestrians or cause obstructions. Councillors voted on 13 October to delegate these additional statutory powers to senior officers.
The approved changes also require e-bike rental companies to reimburse the council for the cost of recovery. Seized e-bikes will be stored in a secure council-owned garage.
The council stated this decision would "protect the council from obstructive incursions by an e-bike operator without an agreement in place". A council report noted that immediate removal under section 149(2) is for bikes presenting a danger requiring removal without delay, while other nuisance cases require notice and potentially a court order.
Currently, 1,800 dockless e-bikes are operated in Ealing by Forest and Lime under contracts with the council. However, Voi continues to operate in the borough despite not being awarded a new contract following its trial earlier this year. Councillor Dominic Moffitt said the council formally requested Voi cease operations, but the company has refused.
The council is also introducing 300 physically marked bays across the borough, moving away from virtual in-app parking areas. Residents are encouraged to report obstructive bikes via the Love Clean Streets app. Geofencing precision has been tightened to 10cm accuracy to prevent riders from ending rides outside marked bays. Lime and Forest will also fund additional on-street "rangers" to rearrange incorrectly parked bikes.