Greenwich Council is taking action to address issues caused by delivery bikes on Eltham High Street, following a motion passed at a council meeting on Wednesday 29 October 2025. The council recognises that poorly-parked delivery bikes and associated anti-social behaviour negatively impacts footfall on Eltham High Street and reduces the number of visitors using shops and businesses in person.
The motion acknowledges the disruption and anti-social behaviour caused by delivery bikes, while also recognising their importance to local businesses. A common complaint outlined in the motion - delivery bikes on Eltham High Street from residents and local businesses is the disruption and anti-social behaviour caused by poorly-managed delivery bikes.
The council has resolved to:
- Continue identifying appropriate motorcycle parking spots and waiting zones. The council believes that dedicated motorcycle bays must be in close proximity to the restaurants and other businesses that are driving the demand for motorbike delivery riders if they are to prove to be effective at addressing issues of conflict between delivery riders and pedestrians, drivers and residents at these locations.
- Continue enforcement against illegally parked delivery riders. From January 2024 until the beginning of September 2025, the Council issued 59 penalty charge notices to motorbikes on Eltham High Street, many of which were delivery bikes. The council resolves to continue enforcement against those motorbike delivery riders parked in prohibited bays or outside bay markings including illegal pavement parking.
- Continue working with residents, councillors, businesses, and delivery riders.
- Continue collaboration with stakeholders, including neighbouring councils and the police. The council has engaged in discussions with other Councils across London to share and learn from best practice, consider the viability of technology based solutions and means of engaging with the app-based providers to address common issues.
- Assess the impact and feasibility of amending motorcycle bay restrictions including reducing maximum stay times and increasing 'no return' periods – to deter long-term waiting by all riders on Eltham High Street.
The motion notes the increase in delivery motorbikes since 2019, driven by app-based delivery platforms. It also acknowledges that local businesses increasingly rely on these platforms.
Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan and Councillor Aidan Smith proposed an amendment to the motion, which was approved. The amendment notes the increase in delivery motorbikes, the reliance of local businesses on app-based platforms, and the resulting user conflict. It also proposes continuing work to identify appropriate motorcycle parking spots and waiting zones, continuing enforcement, working with residents, councillors, businesses, and delivery riders, and continuing collaboration with stakeholders.
The original motion was proposed by Councillor Charlie Davis, Councillor Pat Greenwell, and Councillor Roger Tester. It called for targeted enforcement, assessment of motorcycle bay restrictions, engagement with online food delivery companies, and collaboration with other London councils and the police.
