We have secured a new agreement with Forest and Lime – London’s two leading e-cycle hire companies – to address poorly parked bikes and help keep our pavements clear and accessible for everyone.   

The agreements introduce a compulsory bay-only parking model. This means that, from Monday 16 June, Forest and Lime users in Merton will only be able to end their journey in one of the borough’s physical or virtual bays.  

The designated bays will be made up of both physically marked bays and virtual bays, which will be situated on cycle stands. We will be monitoring the usage of bays to ensure they are not being overcrowded and taking up space from cyclists who want to lock up their bikes. 

Any e-bikes parked outside of a bay can be reported to the relevant company, who will then be responsible for removing them. Where bikes are parked dangerously or are not removed within timeframes agreed with Lime and Forest, we will also be able to seize them from the streets, a service for which we will charge the companies for. Where the companies are not responsive to poorly or dangerously parked bikes, you can report this via the FixMyStreet app. 

We will be actively monitoring the compliance of Lime and Forest with these new requirements, and residents will begin to see an improvement as these restrictions take effect. 

Riders who repeatedly break the new parking rules will receive fines or be banned from the apps. The new network of parking bays spans the whole borough, with almost all residents within a 2-3 minute walk from the nearest bay.   

Councillor Stuart Neaverson, Merton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Cleaner Streets said:  

“I’ve seen first-hand how just a few badly parked bikes can create real obstacles – especially for people with disabilities, limited mobility, or parents with buggies. That’s why I’m pleased we’re taking firm action in Merton. 

“Shared bike schemes like Lime and Forest offer huge benefits to our community, and thousands of Merton residents are already using them. But that success must go hand in hand with responsibility. From now on, operators will be required to ensure bikes are parked in designated bays – and we’ll be holding both riders and companies to account if they fail to follow the rules. We’re serious about keeping our streets safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone.”