FAQs
Dockless bike FAQs
Places you’d like to travel to using dockless e-bikes
Locations where parking bays could work well
Areas where parking bays need careful consideration
Where you’d like to see dockless e-bike parking bays
Places you’d like to travel using dockless e-bikes
Locations that need careful consideration or where you don’t want to see dockless e-bike parking bays
What’s important to you
What residents and businesses think we need to get right
- How we ensure safe practices for cyclists and non-cyclists
Has the council decided to introduce dockless e-bikes?
We're exploring how dockless e-bikes could work in Waltham Forest and gathering feedback from residents to help shape future proposals.
Why are you asking for feedback?
We're at an early stage and want to understand local views to shape the future of dockless e-bikes in Waltham Forest. Your feedback will help shape any future proposals, including where dockless e-bike parking bays may be needed and any concerns you may have.
We're asking you to help identify:
What is a dockless e-bike?
A dockless e-bike is an electric bike that can be hired for short trips using a mobile app. Unlike some cycle hire schemes, dockless e-bikes do not use docking stations. In many London boroughs, riders leave the bikes in designated parking bays at the end of their journey.
Will dockless e-bikes be allowed to park anywhere?
Our preferred approach is for dockless e-bikes to be parked in designated bays. Operators would be expected to make sure bikes are parked correctly and do not block pavements, crossings or access routes.
Where could parking bays be located?
No locations have been chosen. We're asking residents and businesses to help identify locations where parking bays could work well and places where particular care may be needed because of accessibility, safety or local considerations. All potential locations would be assessed before any decisions are made.
Could parking bays be placed on pavements?
Ideally we would avoid locating parking bays on pavements. We want to keep walking routes clear, safe and accessible, with dockless e-bike parking bays placed on the road.
How many dockless e-bikes would there be?
No decisions have been made about numbers. One approach being explored is to start with a limited number of dockless e-bikes and review how well they are being used before considering any expansion.
Where will dockless e-bikes be introduced first?
This has not been decided yet. Resident feedback, travel patterns and practical considerations will help us understand where dockless e-bikes could work best.
Why not launch across the whole borough at once?
A phased approach is one of the options being explored. This would make it easier to monitor how dockless e-bikes are being used and address any issues early on.
Who would run dockless e-bike scheme in Waltham Forest?
No operators have been selected yet. Part of our work is to understand what requirements operators would need to meet. Any operator would be appointed through the appropriate procurement process and would need to meet clear standards for parking, maintenance, accessibility and customer service.
What if a dockless e-bike is parked badly?
We know this is one of the main concerns for residents and businesses. Operators would be expected to have systems in place to prevent poor parking and respond quickly when problems are reported.
What if a parking bay is full?
The detailed arrangements have not yet been decided.
We would expect operators to help riders find nearby available parking and to manage the network so bays do not regularly become full.
Will dockless e-bikes be affordable?
Affordability is an important consideration. We will explore options with operators, including discounted offers and support for people on lower incomes.
What about people who do not use smartphones?
Most dockless e-bike operators use a mobile app, but we will explore what alternative options operators may be able to provide.
How will accessibility be considered?
Accessibility will be a key consideration as proposals are developed. We're asking residents to identify locations that may need careful consideration, and any future proposals would be assessed to help keep routes safe, clear and accessible for everyone.
How will my feedback be used?
Your feedback will help us understand:
We will also consider travel data, accessibility needs, road safety and local conditions when reviewing options.
How we will ensure the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians?
We are keen to hear your views on this especially and it will help shape how we work with the providers to regulate how cyclists use the e-bikes but also making sure we put in safeguards to protect pedestrians sharing the streets and pavements with cyclists. We will also look into how other e-bike schemes have successfully tackled any issues around e-bike crime.
What happens next?
Your feedback will help shape future proposals for dockless e-bikes in Waltham Forest, including where parking bays may be located and what measures may be needed to address local concerns.