Dame Joan Collins has added her voice to the growing public frustration over the widespread misuse of e-bikes and e-scooters across London, warning that the capital is facing a new kind of invasion one that many residents feel the Mayor’s office has failed to control as reported in The Times today.
The 92-year-old actress, writing in The Spectator, described her experiences with rental e-bikes, particularly Lime bikes, which she says have become a danger to pedestrians and a blight on public walkways.
“I’ve been almost run over twice by Lime bikes,” she said. “They seem to care not for road rules, pedestrians, safety, or anyone but themselves.” This article follows on from the previous Celebrity Robert Powell reflecting Londoner’s gripe about E-Bikes and e-scooters accidents.
E-Bikes Obstructing Pavements and Endangering Pedestrians
Collins also recounted tripping over discarded e-bikes on the streets of Belgravia and criticised the surge in delivery riders using rental bikes recklessly. She highlighted how the dockless design of these bikes allows them to be left in random locations, creating hazards for the elderly, families with prams, and disabled people.
Her frustration mirrors that of fellow actor Robert Powell, 81, who has spent four years battling Camden Council over a rental bike bay outside his Highgate home. At one point, he counted over 100 bikes blocking the pavement, forcing him and his wife to move up to 12 e-bikes daily — prompting his GP to intervene due to the physical and mental strain.
Councils and Operators Respond, but Residents Remain Frustrated
Camden Council said it is relocating the problematic bike bay, acknowledging that improperly parked e-bikes can block access and put residents at risk. Meanwhile, Lime claims it is investing in 2,500 dedicated parking spaces and is fining repeat offenders for poor parking.
Still, for many Londoners, these responses feel too little, too late. The core complaint is not against cycling itself, but the lack of enforcement and planning that allows e-bikes to clutter pavements, block homes, and put lives at risk.
Injured in an E-Bike or E-Scooter Accident? Know Your Rights
Unfortunately, with the increase in e-bike and e-scooter use, there has also been a sharp rise in collisions and pavement-related accidents, including pedestrians being hit or tripping over abandoned bikes. If you or someone you know has suffered injury due to a negligently used or parked e-bike or scooter, you may be entitled to compensation.
To understand your rights and how to bring a claim, visit our full guide on e-bike and e-scooter accidents in London.
Whether you were:
- Knocked over by a rider on the pavement
- Injured while avoiding a bike left in a dangerous position
- Involved in a road collision with an electric bike or scooter
… there may be legal routes for compensation under public liability or motor insurance frameworks, depending on the circumstances. Always seek specialist legal advice.
Is It Time to Rethink London’s E-Bike Strategy?
As support for active travel grows, so too must the responsibility to ensure it doesn’t compromise safety or accessibility. The comments by high-profile residents like Joan Collins and Robert Powell reflect a broader sentiment: London’s pavements are no longer safe, and unless councils act decisively, the problem will only get worse.