Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Resident Experience. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Tackling Inequality

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST RELATING TO THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Noted the responses received as part of community engagement on the future dockless e?bike services in Haringey, as set out in Appendix?A and the exempt information in Appendix?B.

2.    Approved the appointment of the two selected dockless e?bike providers for the provision of dockless e?bike services in Haringey for a period of two years, with the possibility of extending the contract for a further two years at annual intervals, subject to performance. This followed a completed competitive tender process, as required by CSO?12.03, recommending the suppliers who provided the most advantageous bids.

3.    Approved the Council entering into formal agreements with the selected suppliers noted in the exempt appendix to deliver dockless e?bike services in Haringey, in accordance with CSO?2.01.c, and awarded a contract for the provision of a dockless e?bike hire scheme for a period of four years from 1?April?2026 to 31?March?2030.

Reasons for decision

Since dockless e?bike hire services had begun formally operating in Haringey as part of the initial pilot scheme, dockless e?bikes had become an established mode of transport in the borough, with substantial user and journey figures that continued to increase over time.

The Council had engaged throughout the current trial of the dockless e?bike scheme through the online Commonplace engagement website. A dedicated Commonplace webpage ran from February?2024 (the beginning of the trial) to February?2025, seeking views from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders on the benefits and barriers of the scheme, and giving stakeholders the opportunity to suggest future parking locations. The results of this engagement were summarised in Appendix?A. The Council had also engaged with the Adult Social Care Joint Partnership Board and monitored feedback received through the dockless e?bikes inbox to ensure that the needs of all community members were considered.

In September?2025, Cabinet had approved the undertaking of a formal procurement exercise for the provision of dockless e?bike hire services.

The existing Memorandum of Understanding with the two operators—Lime Technology Ltd and Human Forest (Bikes) Ltd—had enabled the Council to understand cycling demand in the borough, track usage month?to?month, and partially regulate a previously unregulated market. Entering into a formal contract allowed the Council to set clear rules and fees to enable increased and controlled management of the e?bikes and to ensure fair pricing for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing – The Council could have chosen not to enter into agreements with dockless e?bike hire operators.

If the Council had not entered into agreements, it was likely that services would still have operated within an unregulated market, without management or governance from the Council. This lack of contractual oversight could have resulted in poor service quality, with no Council leverage to maximise benefits (including revenue generation) or mitigate issues through contractual arrangements, such as issuing financial penalties or reducing  ...  view the full decision text for item 433

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment introduced the report. The rationale was outlined.

It was explained that there had been progress, performance and learning points identified from Haringey’s dockless e?bike hire trial. When Cabinet approved the scheme in September 2023, the Council committed to a borough?wide trial that was carefully managed, supported by geofenced and fixed parking bays, strengthened operator accountability, and an approach intended to avoid issues experienced elsewhere. It was explained that the Council had also committed to ongoing engagement throughout the trial period, and this principle informed the delivery of the dockless e?bike scheme.

It was highlighted that, since the launch of the scheme in early 2024, engagement through the online ‘Commonplace’ platform and a dedicated inbox provided ongoing insight into user experience and community concerns. Feedback highlighted both the benefits of improved access to e?bikes and issues such as pavement obstruction and non?compliant parking. This feedback informed operational changes, including the expansion of marked and virtual parking bays across the borough and strengthened management arrangements from both operators, resulting in improved compliance.

The Cabinet Member noted that usage levels had increased over the trial period. Monthly ridership rose from 83,600 to 278,000 trips between March 2024 and December 2025, reflecting increased uptake as operators expanded their fleets under the trial arrangements. The trial permitted a fleet of up to 2,000 e?bikes, increasing access to sustainable travel options. Around 100 complaints were received, primarily relating to parking issues, and the council worked with operators to improve responsiveness and increase the number of parking bays. It was explained that the scheme aimed to increase travel choice, support climate and air quality objectives, and enable more people to cycle across the borough, including in areas with steep gradients where e?bikes provided additional benefit. The council sought to ensure that the expansion of the dockless e?bike service did not adversely affect other road and pavement users. With continued engagement and service improvements under the new contract, the scheme was expected to contribute to the expansion of active travel and wider environmental and public health objectives.

Following questions from Councillors Williams, Cawley-Harrison, the following information was shared:

• It was noted that the Council would be working to reduce e-rental bike dumping was reduced and noted that the proposals within the report would require that dockless bike hire services would be required to implement Global Positioning System (GPS) data for bike location and that there was a timed requirement to removed dumped bikes. It was additionally noted that the Council would have the powers to levy fines against e-bike companies not in compliance.
  
  
• It was explained that the Council had worked to ensure that costs for e-bike services were comparable to journeys via bus. It was noted that this was a positive concession from operators, which was aimed to encourage more use.
  
  
• It was stressed that the Council took advice on traffic orders and that these orders would be supported by a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 433