Barnet Council is developing a multi-pronged strategy to address the escalating issue of abandoned dockless bikes, with councillors discussing a range of options at the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The council is awaiting a pan-London licensing framework from Transport for London (TfL), expected by mid-2028, which will see dockless e-bikes operating across London under a consistent standard and a single authority.
The council is considering using its statutory powers to confiscate abandoned bikes and hold them until their owners pay a retrieval fee. This measure aims for implementation as soon as practically possible, though establishing the necessary infrastructure and resources for collection, storage, and fine processing will take time.
In parallel, Barnet is exploring informal agreements, known as Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), with dockless bike providers. These agreements are designed to establish acceptable behaviours and procedures for dealing with abandoned bikes, encouraging operator cooperation and gathering data on usage within the borough. A key outcome of these MOUs is the potential to receive data from operators, allowing Barnet officers to determine future demand and potentially gain leverage in future discussions with TfL once the pan-London framework is in place. However, a significant difficulty is that without clear written intent to create legal relations, it would be challenging for the council to sue for breaches of these informal agreements.
Furthermore, the council will investigate potential locations for designated dockless bike parking bays, particularly around transport hubs, on wide pavements, or adjacent to prohibited parking areas. This initiative is intended to prepare for future requirements and mitigate issues of bikes being left in unsuitable locations. Any option other than a complete ban will allow for the monitoring of e-bike usage, providing the borough with data to determine priority areas for parking bay installation in collaboration with TfL.
Barnet Council is also actively engaging with London Councils and regulatory bodies involved in the development of the pan-London agreement to ensure the borough's interests are represented. The committee acknowledged that while these interim measures are being put in place, legal complexities and resource implications need careful consideration. The pan-London framework, expected by mid-2028, may supersede existing contractual arrangements between individual boroughs and e-bike operators, necessitating a review of Barnet's interim measures. TfL would look to collaborate with local authorities on e-bike parking within the borough under this new framework.
Councillor Dean Cohen MBE, Chair of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, highlighted the need for a clear direction for the council to follow in dealing with this issue, noting that residents are becoming increasingly frustrated by abandoned bikes. The committee urged the cabinet to explore recommendations including the adoption of a hybrid approach, the use of MOUs with providers, and the exploration of designated parking bays.
Discussions also touched upon the potential for enforcement, with options including using highway obstruction laws and anti-social behaviour legislation. Barnet Council has enforcement powers under Section 43 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and Sections 41 and 148 of the Highway Act 1980. However, the council must determine a clear enforcement route to avoid legal challenges and potential double jeopardy. Considerable staff resource and time will be required for the development, administration, and operation of any formal arrangement, including tendering processes. For MOUs, while breaches are difficult to enforce legally, formal agreements would be enforceable in court, with potential fines of up to £10,000 or £20,000 for repeated compliance failures by operators.
The issue of dockless bikes has become more prevalent in recent years, with a growing number of reports of bikes being left abandoned or parked inconsiderately. The council aims to address this problem proactively while awaiting the forthcoming pan-London framework. The risk of judicial review action against the council due to a decision to completely ban and confiscate all bikes left in Barnet is considered medium to high.
