London's office bike racks are often empty, yet the city is experiencing record cycling levels, driven by a surge in shared e-bike use. Research from the London Property Alliance found approximately three-quarters of cycle parking spaces in 21 office buildings were vacant during peak hours.
However, this does not indicate a decline in cycling. Transport for London (TfL) estimates that daily cycle trips increased by 12% in 2025, reaching 1.4 million, the highest level ever recorded. Recent TfL data also suggests that at least one in 10 cycling trips are made on shared e-bikes.
Stef Lehmann, Lime's head of government relations, argues that developers have focused on the wrong problem. He suggests that making alternative outside space available for shared e-bike parking should count towards city planning requirements. Lime has committed £5 million to a London Parking Fund as part of its £20 million London Action Plan to address the demand for shared e-bike parking.