London boroughs have seized at least 3,393 dockless electric bikes (ebikes) this year, according to a Guardian investigation. This represents a 23% increase compared to the number seized during all of 2025. The data, obtained through a freedom of information request from 19 reporting authorities, shows that Lime, a California-based bike rental company, accounted for more than 2,000 of the seizures. Forest, a rival bike company, ranked second with 978 seizures, followed by Voi with 103. Dockless ebikes have grown in popularity as a cheaper and greener transport option, with one in 10 of the 1.5 million daily cycle journeys in London made using these vehicles, according to Transport for London (TfL) estimates. Campaigners have called on providers to take more responsibility for preventing the accumulation of their bikes on pavements and roads. Zak Viney of the campaign group Living Streets said irresponsibly parked ebikes cause safety issues, preventing people from walking and wheeling safely. Erik Matthies, policy lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, noted that the rise in abandoned ebikes is overwhelming blind and partially sighted individuals, as well as elderly people and wheelchair users. He said people are experiencing collisions and injuries due to bikes left on pavements, and the problem is worsening. Some blind individuals have reportedly stopped making journeys they used to. The Guardian sent freedom of information requests to all 21 London boroughs with dockless bike contracts, as well as the City of London. Nine boroughs said they did not seize or fine any bike operators, and three either did not reply within the deadline or did not hold the information. James Slater, a councillor in Camden, said ebikes had been left in resident parking bays, obstructing traffic. During the solar eclipse, he noted "swarms of ebikes" around Primrose Hill and Hampstead Heath. He emphasized that operators have a responsibility to ensure the bikes are not causing a public nuisance. Bike operators argue that councils are not investing sufficiently in building more parking bays, which could help prevent the buildup of poorly parked bikes. Councils have criticized the lack of centralised regulation across London, which they say complicates planning. Slater described the current regulation as a “jigsaw puzzle,” saying a London-wide approach is needed. He noted that it is difficult for 32 councils in London to have slightly different policies, and in some cases, different operators on borough boundaries. The English devolution bill, passed in April, gives local authorities in England new powers to license rental ebike operators and set requirements around parking, safety, and accessibility standards. In London, these new licensing powers go to TfL, which is expected to create a single capital-wide regulatory framework for dockless ebike operators. The mayor of London’s office said it is working closely with TfL and the Department for Transport on the secondary legislation required to implement “much-needed controls as quickly as possible.” A spokesperson emphasized that safety improvements should be central to any future regulation to ensure the industry can continue to thrive, and urged all dockless operators to fully engage with London boroughs and TfL to ensure their services work well for all Londoners. Lime noted that its status as the largest ebike operator in London should be considered when evaluating the number of its bikes seized, adding that these incidents mostly occurred at overcrowded parking bays. A spokesperson said the vast majority of riders end their trips responsibly, and a very small proportion of total rides result in seizures and fines by councils. They acknowledged that parking is a challenge across the industry, largely due to ebike parking not keeping pace with growing demand for rental ebike services. Forest stated that the number of designated parking bays had not kept pace with demand, adding that it was working closely with boroughs to encourage responsible parking and ensure its service works for everyone. A Voi spokesperson said its vehicles should never be parked in a way that blocks access routes, lift areas, pavements, entrances, or emergency routes. They recognized the impact poor parking can have on disabled people, parents with pushchairs, and people using mobility aids, and said they take reports of obstruction seriously.