The rapid growth of rental e-bikes and e-scooters has transformed urban transport across the UK. But as these schemes expand, so do the practical problems for residents, particularly when designated parking bays obstruct pavements, driveways, and access routes. This can be more of a headache than the menace of accidents with an E-Bike or E-Scooter.
Actor Robert Powell Highlights Daily Obstruction from E-Bikes
Reported in the Times today, BAFTA-nominated actor Robert Powell, best known for his role in Jesus of Nazareth, has become an unlikely spokesperson for the challenges caused by poorly planned e-bike parking. For the past four years, Powell and his wife, former dancer Barbara Lord, have endured a daily battle with rental bikes blocking the pavement outside their home in Highgate, Camden.
According to Powell, aged 81, a Lime e-bike parking bay installed outside his house has led to repeated blockages, sometimes with up to 100 e-bikes left on the pavement. “You’ve got two octogenarians here who are in danger of being killed,” he told the Camden New Journal. “The entire pavement has been blocked by bikes.”
Daily Strain and Health Impact
Powell said that moving 10 to 12 e-bikes a day just to access the front door had become physically exhausting. “They are awfully heavy,” he noted, adding that he had felt “wobbly” on several occasions and feared the strain could lead to a heart attack. His GP even wrote to Camden Council to express concern over the potential health risks.
Despite sending hundreds of emails and over 500 photos to the council, Powell described the experience as a “literal nightmare”, saying the council’s response had been dismissive and insulting.
London and Nation-Wide Local Authorities and Pavement Obstruction Law
Under the Highways Act 1980, councils have a duty to ensure public footpaths are kept clear of obstructions. Persistent blockage by e-bikes could also raise issues under equality legislation, especially if pavements become inaccessible to wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, or the elderly.
While Camden Council has now agreed to relocate the bay, Powell’s case highlights a broader issue: are councils balancing active travel with residents’ rights to safe access?
A Growing Urban Problem – E-Bikes and E-Scooters
Schemes like those run by Lime, Voi, and Dott are part of a push towards greener urban transport. But without proper regulation of parking locations, these schemes risk becoming a daily nuisance for residents—and in some cases, a public hazard.
It’s not just about convenience. For older or vulnerable individuals, having to navigate around a stack of e-bikes on the pavement can be dangerous and, as Powell’s case shows, physically taxing.
What Can Residents Do?
If you’re experiencing similar issues with obstructive e-bike parking, you may be entitled to complain under:
- The Highways Act 1980 for public obstruction
- Local authority planning guidance
- Equality Act 2010, if access is impeded for protected groups
You can also report problematic parking through local council channels or to operators directly. Most e-bike apps have a feature for flagging unsafe or obstructive parking.
Time for Regulation That Works for Everyone
Powell’s experience is a clear example of what can go wrong when active travel policies aren’t implemented with sufficient thought for accessibility, planning, and enforcement. Local authorities must do more to ensure that parking bays are located in safe, appropriate places—not directly outside front doors or across footpaths.
While the benefits of e-bikes are undeniable, their integration into public infrastructure must be handled with common sense and compassion, especially for those whose lives are most disrupted by poor placement and lax enforcement.