E-bike parking on London’s pavements could soon be completely banned.
Transport for London (TfL) bosses say they want to crack down on rogue bikes left by riders on the streets.
Plans are reportedly being drawn up to see designated parking bays erected around the capital, with a complete ban on leaving electric bikes on pavements.
TfL has said these measures could be in place from “early 2026” and would limit the number of bikes per borough and city-wide.
New rules will also “ban the use of free-floating parking” where riders can leave a bike wherever they want after finishing their journey.
But what are the current laws on using the e-bikes?
How fast are you allowed to go on e-bikes?
There is no law on how fast you can go on an e-bike, but what is limited by law is the power output of a bike.
E-bikes in the UK are limited to a maximum power output of 250 watts, and the motor must cut out once the bike reaches 15.5 mph.
Where are you allowed to ride on e-bikes?
E-bikes in the UK are considered a type of bicycle and at present are bound to the same laws as traditional bikes.
They can be ridden on bike paths, cycle lanes, and roads, but are not allowed to be ridden on pavements.
E-bike riders must follow the same Highway Code which means adhering to stop signs and red lights, and using hand signals when turning.
They cannot be ridden on motorways, dual carriageways, and restricted roads.
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike?
According to the UK Government website, you must be 14 or older to ride an e-bike.
Do you need insurance to ride an e-bike?
At present, e-bikes are bound by the same laws as traditional bikes and therefore do not need insurance or tax.
Are the changes to parking happening?
It is not a dead cert, but consultations are ongoing on how to improve the situation around London.
A TfL spokesperson said: “We know that poor e-bike parking can cause significant safety issues for many Londoners, particularly disabled and older people. Our experience from the existing e-scooter trial shows that well-managed and regulated schemes can be successful in mitigating such issues.
‘To tackle this we're looking closely at how we can improve the management of e-bikes in London. This includes exploring a coordinated scheme with London councils and the London boroughs to manage dockless e-bikes and e-scooters in London, through a contract. No decisions have yet been taken.”
