Residents were left “shocked” and “angry” after dumped e-bikes completely blocked a road by Waterloo Station last week.
Chrissy Giles, of Timber Pond Road, Rotherhithe, came across the mass of poorly-parked Lime Bikes in Exton Street on Thursday evening.
She said: “I was shocked at the sheer number of bikes that had been dumped.
“The bikes were left more than half way across the road and on the pavement. Many had fallen over.”
The 66-year-old said the blockage was hazardous to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers trying to manoeuvre their way through the narrow road.
Lime bikes dumped across Exton Street opposite Waterloo Station last week (Picture: Chrissy Giles)
She said: “I saw several cars indicate to turn left into Exton Street but they weren’t able to drive down it. They had to back out into the busy Waterloo Road which was dangerous.”
Ms Giles said the bikes appeared to have been left in the road opposite Waterloo Station by commuters.
Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of e-bikes in the capital, with operators such as Lime and Forest growing their presence on the streets.
But with it has come the increasing problem of e-bikes being left on and around pathways, blocking the way for pedestrians and vehicles.
In October 2024, Transport for London (TfL) announced that e-bike companies would be fined when their cycles block roads and spaces outside underground stations.
Ms Giles said a number of drivers had to back out of Exton Street due to the blockage (Picture: Chrissy Giles)
Ms Giles said: “Bikes that use less carbon and are powered by renewable energy is a plus for our society and environment.
“But, the danger they can cause for pedestrians – especially for disabled people or mothers with prams – when not “rounded up” by the operators or badly parked by the users, cannot be understated.”
A Lime spokeswoman said overcrowding in popular locations like Waterloo station is a “major challenge” for the industry.
She said: “We never want Lime’s e-bikes to obstruct anyone’s journey.
“We are working with boroughs to help create more parking bays to ensure demand is met and cycling remains accessible for all.
“In London, we have a team of 250 people that help to move mis-parked bikes and clear overcrowded bays. We encourage the public to report instances of overcrowding so our team can quickly move and redistribute bikes.”
Pictured top: Lime Bikes blocking Exton Street, opposite Waterloo station on Thursday (Picture: Chrissy Giles)