Dockless bikes
As a Council, we are working to encourage active and sustainable travel in Lewisham, such as walking, cycling and public transport.
Dockless bikes are an increasingly popular form of travel across London, as they are an efficient, greener, and affordable way to get around.
However, we recognise that some bikes are parked in an unsafe and obstructive manner. We are tackling by this by introducing designated marked bays. These will be geo-fenced so that operators and riders must park the bikes in these specific areas, or they could face penalties.
We are delivering these marked bays in phases. So far, we have delivered our first phase marked bays in Lewisham and have identified Blackheath, Lewisham Central, Ladywell, Crofton Park and Forest Hill for the second phase.
You can find more information about when your area will get marked bays in the frequently asked questions.
Frequently asked questions
What are dockless bikes?
Dockless bikes are e-bikes that enhance sustainable travel. They can be rented for a short period of time through an app, and once riders have completed their ride, they can be left in a public space. They do not require physical docking stations, such as TfL’s Santander Cycles. However, to reduce bikes being parked in unsafe areas, we are introducing designated marked bays.
How will this help to address issues with parking?
Dockless e-bikes operated by Lime will need to be parked in designated bays around the borough, helping to reduce issues caused by inconsiderate parking. Riders will not be able to end their journey without parking in a designated bay or they could face penalties.
Why are bays being introduced for dockless bikes?
We want to reduce the number of car journeys in Lewisham and encourage more people to walk, cycle or use public transport. Providing bays for dockless bikes can make the cycle hire schemes safer, more efficient and widely used in the borough.
We believe that dockless bike schemes work best when there are designated locations for bikes to be left and collected. It can help to reduce issues caused by inconsiderate parking and help riders know where they will be able to find bikes.
We recognise that residents are concerned about bikes being parked obstructively and the effect it has on pedestrians, including wheelchair users and people with buggies. Introducing designated areas for bikes to be parked will help to reduce obstructive parking and enable cycle hire schemes to operate in a way that benefits everyone.
Where will the bays be?
How were these locations chosen?
The proposed locations were identified as suitable for a bay considering factors such as road safety, expected levels of demand, network density considerations and impact on residents.
Almost all the proposed locations are on the road, except in some locations where the pavement is sufficiently wide enough to accommodate a marked bay and pedestrian movement.
How are the bays being funded?
We have various funding sources available to us to help deliver the infrastructure required to support dockless bike schemes, including funding from Transport for London, internal budgets, and Section 106 funding (S106) which is money collected from developers to help mitigate some of the impacts of new developments.
When will bays be proposed for where I live?
We are introducing bays across Lewisham in phases:
- Bays have already been introduced in Evelyn, Deptford, New Cross Gate, Telegraph Hill and Brockley in Winter 2023.
- The current proposals are for Blackheath, Lewisham Central, Ladywell, Crofton Park and Forest Hill.
- Locations for Lee Green, Hither Green, Rushey Green, Catford South and Grove Park are expected to be proposed at the beginning of 2025.
- Locations for Perry Vale, Sydenham, Bellingham and Downham are expected to be proposed in Spring 2025.
How can I share my feedback about a proposed bay?
A Traffic Management Order (TMO) has been advertised with the proposed locations (Blackheath, Lewisham Central, Ladywell, Crofton Park and Forest Hill) from Friday 5 October until Friday 25 October.
If you have feedback about the proposed locations, you can submit comments by emailing trafficorders@lewisham.gov.uk before Friday 25 October.
Copies of the draft Order, plans and Statement of the Council’s Reasons for proposing to make the Order may be viewed either though the lewisham.traffweb.app website or obtained by emailing a request to trafficorders@lewisham.gov.uk quoting reference ‘PTO – 1057'.
Comments on the proposals for or against, together with the reasons for which they are made should be sent through the lewisham.traffweb.app website or in writing to Lewisham Transport Policy & Development, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London SE6 4RU, quoting reference ‘PTO-1052’ to arrive not later than Friday 25 October.
What is the timeline for implementation?
When the consultation period ends, officers will consider any comments received before deciding whether to proceed with the Traffic Order. If implementation is approved, residents on affected roads will be notified by letter.
Will the bays be used for e-scooters?
The Council currently only has agreements for e-bikes in the borough and there are no current plans to enable e-scooters. The bays will be marked ‘E-SCTR AND CYC HIRE’ however this is just to future proof bays for potential changes in micro-mobility agreements.
Which operators will be able to use the bays?
The Council currently has an agreement with Lime.
How can I report a problem about e-bikes?
E-bikes that are parked obstructively can be reported directly to Lime by emailing support@li.me or by using the Love Clean Streets app.