Islington Liberal Democrats push for charter to tackle e-bike parking chaos
Islington Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign calling for a Charter for Bike Hire to address the growing issue of e-bike parking across the borough. While e-bike hire has transformed local travel — offering clean, affordable, and convenient mobility — residents have raised concerns about bikes cluttering pavements and obstructing pedestrian access.
Our proposed Charter would introduce:
- A code of conduct for e-bike companies, including performance targets and rapid removal of obstructing bikes
- Mandatory parking zones, preferably on the highway, to ensure consistent enforcement
- Unified standards across central London for fairness and clarity
- Expanded cycle bay infrastructure in high-use areas
- Proper consultation with residents on bay placement
Neighbouring boroughs that have implemented similar measures reportedly see 90% of dockless bikes parked correctly, suggesting that enforcement works.
Islington LD Chair Kate Pothalingam introduced our policy by writing a letter to the Islington Tribune (pg 11), urging the council to adopt the Charter and end what is becoming more-and-more evidently “pavement chaos.” In her letter, she emphasizes the need for swift action to protect pedestrian safety and restore order to Islington’s streets.
We encourage you to sign our petition and share your views on potential parking locations.
Our Charter is a step toward making Islington’s streets safer, smarter, and more accessible for everyone; together, we can fix this.
Let's end the pavement chaos.