Lime bikes in Brent

Lime electric bikes have been used by over 100,000 people for nearly 2 million cycle trips across Brent, since 2019. Together, you are helping us to reduce car use and associated carbon emissions in the borough.

While the use of Lime bikes has been positive for active travel, we are aware that the scheme has also created some issues, and this is a concern for many residents.

New measures and commitments by Lime

Since last year we have been applying pressure on Lime and asking them to work closer with us to address your concerns. As a result, Lime has now agreed to the following commitments, which include:

• Immediately reduce the size of the fleet in Brent by a third - from 750 to 500 bikes - while other improvements are made and consult closely with the council before increasing bike numbers again.
• Introducing and funding the creation of 200 new parking bays, in priority areas. These designated parking bays will be implemented and enforced in phases. All locations will be up and running by 1 July 2025.
• Implement zoning to prevent poor bike parking in certain areas.
• Introduce ‘slow zones’ around busy areas like Wembley Stadium and High Road, and a dedicated events plan for the stadium.
• Increase the number of Lime cyclist patrollers and parking wardens on-the-ground in Brent by 78%, ensuring that any issues reported can be dealt with quickly.
• Remove poorly parked bikes within two hours when reported via email.
• Reinvest fines from poor parking back into the community through the council’s Together Towards Zero grant scheme.
• Create a resident cycling forum to meet quarterly and offer monthly cycle training sessions for residents.

Consultation on where to locate Lime bike parking bays

The consultation on the location of the 200 dedicated parking bays Lime have committed to install is now open for residents to comment and feedback on.

We want to hear from you

The aim of the new parking bays is to address the issue of inconsiderate and unsafe parking of Lime bikes, particularly on pavements. In this initial phase we will be focusing mainly on locations in the south of the borough. Details of proposed locations can be viewed on our consultation portal. Tell us where you think they should be placed.

The proposal is to roll out parking bays in a range of locations, with a particular focus on areas with high pedestrian activity, including:

• outside stations
• main high streets
• places where we have received a high level of complaints about poor parking

Subject to the outcome of this initial consultation, we aim to implement the first phase of parking bays by the end of March 2025. There will be more opportunities for residents to give feedback on other areas of the borough later in the year. Further details will be shared on our website.

Residents Cycling Forum

The first Resident Cycling Forum will be on Monday 24 February in the Civic Centre Conference Hall at 18:30.

This new forum will provide an opportunity for you to hear directly from Lime about the scheme and how it operates. Residents can also raise any issues or concerns they may have.

Information about the Forum, including dates for future meetings will be shared on our website.

How to report Lime bike issues

Until the new parking bays are introduced, Lime bikes will still be able to park anywhere on a pavement. However, users must follow Lime’s rules, ensuring bikes do not obstruct pathways. This includes parking at the pavement's edge, leaving at least 2 metres of space, with wheels aligned to the curb.

A guide for users, and the public can be found on the Lime website.

If you find a badly parked or abandoned Lime bike on a pavement when you are out in the borough, the best way to report it is to contact Lime directly:

• Email: brent@li.me
• Email: support@li.me
• Online: fixmystreet.com 

Emails are monitored 24/7 by the Lime team and issues should be responded to within two hours. Problems reported via FixMyStreet go directly to Lime. If further action is needed, contact the Council at transport.strategy@brent.gov.uk.

Other operators

We are aware of an increase in e-bikes from other companies being parked around the borough. The Council is talking with one of these operators, Human Forest, a company whose bikes are already used in nearby boroughs like Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham, to look at whether we can put a more formal arrangement in place. In the meantime, if you see any badly parked or abandoned Human Forest bikes, please report them:

• Email: londonops@humanforest.co.uk
• Online: fixmystreet.com

Getting Brent moving

Lime has introduced several initiatives as part of a wider social mobility programme which will help improve access to cycling for Brent residents. These include: