New powers to seize e-bikes that obstruct paths

Ealing Council has approved new powers to seize e-bikes without a court order when they pose a danger to pedestrians or cause obstructions.

At a full council meeting on 13 October, councillors voted to delegate additional statutory powers to senior officers as part of the council's effort to strengthen its e-bike enforcement policy.

The proposed changes also require e-bike rental companies to reimburse the council for the cost of recovery. Seized e-bikes will be transported and stored in a secure council-owned garage on a housing estate.

Voi argued it had performed well in the borough and there were no legal grounds to exclude it.

Ealing Council said this decision would "protect the council from obstructive incursions by an e-bike operator without an agreement in place".

The council report stated: "Immediate removal under section 149(2) is limited to bikes that present a danger requiring removal without delay; other nuisance cases require notice and, if necessary, a court order."

There are currently 1,800 dockless e-bikes in Ealing, operated by Forest and Lime under contracts with the council set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

However, Voi continues to operate in the borough despite not being awarded a new contract by Ealing Council following its dockless e-bike trial earlier this year.

Councillor Dominic Moffitt said Ealing Council had formally requested that Voi cease operations and withdraw from Ealing, but Voi has refused to leave.

Councillor Moffitt has negotiated an updated MoU with operators that require them to clear reported obstructive bikes within two hours rather than four.