Thousands of ebikes seized by London councils as anger rises over blocked paths

Operators blame lack of parking and councils bemoan lack of central regulation, as more than 3,000 badly parked bikes seized

London boroughs have seized at least 3,000 ebikes this year, a Guardian investigation has found, as hire companies face growing calls to stop bicycles littering streets and blocking pavements.

Local authorities across the capital have seized 3,393 hazardously parked or abandoned ebikes so far this year, 23% higher than the number seized during all of 2025.