The use of Lime bikes continues to grow in Brent. Over 1.5 million trips were made in the borough in 2025, helping to reduce harmful emissions and enabling people to stay active. However, we acknowledge that there are still challenges with the way the scheme operates.
Commitments by Lime
In November 2024, Lime agreed to a series of commitments to improve their operations in Brent including:
- Reducing the size of their fleet in the borough by a third - from 750 to 500 bikes - while other improvements were made.
- Funding the creation of 200 designated parking bays, in priority areas, providing space for up to 1,600 e-bikes.
- Implementing ‘low’ or ‘no’ parking zones in certain areas to prevent the build-up of large numbers of bikes.
- Introducing ‘slow zones’ around busy areas like Wembley Stadium and High Road and a dedicated events plan for the stadium.
- Increasing the number of Lime cyclist patrollers and parking wardens on-the-ground to ensure that any issues reported are dealt with quickly.
- Removing poorly parked bikes within two hours when reported via email.
- Reinvesting fines from poor parking back into the community through the council’s Together Towards Zero grant scheme.
- Creating a forum to meet quarterly and offering monthly cycle training sessions for residents.
These changes have resulted in a noticeable improvement in performance and a corresponding reduction in the number of complaints we receive. However, we acknowledge that the scheme still creates problems and remains a concern for some residents. We will continue to work closely with Lime to address these issues and to bring about further improvements to the way the scheme operates. We are also looking at improvements that other boroughs are introducing that could be replicated in Brent.
Lime bike parking bays
The Council has been working with Lime to deliver a network of dockless bike parking bays to address the issue of inconsiderate and unsafe parking of e- bikes and to make them more accessible to users.
To date around 150 bays have been implemented, providing around 1,200 parking spaces for e-bikes at key locations including:
- Outside stations
- Main high streets and shopping parades
- Parks and leisure facilities
- Other popular travel destinations across Brent
Consultation on a further 50 parking bays has recently concluded, and we are currently reviewing the feedback received. Subject to approval, we aim to implement these additional parking bays by January 2026. Upon completion, parking within a designated bay will become mandatory for all operators. The locations of all current and planned dockless bike parking bays can be found at Dockless Bike Parking Bay Locations - Brent - Google My Maps
More bays are planned for early 2026 and details of any future consultations will be shared on our website. We will continue to work with Lime to ensure that there is adequate dockless bike parking bay capacity in the borough and that these are suitably located in areas of high demand. We are also working closely with private landowners to get additional dockless bike parking provision at busy places such as Wembley Stadium and at Northwick Park and Central Middlesex Hospitals. If you would like to see bike parking bays installed in your area, please contact Transport.Strategy@brent.gov.uk
Lime bike forum
A new forum has been established providing an opportunity for you to hear directly from Lime about their bike hire scheme and how it operates. Residents can also raise any issues or concerns they may have.
Links to the presentations and notes from previous meetings, summarising the main points raised and outlining key actions, are provided below. Dates for future meetings will be shared on our website once confirmed.
Lime Bike Forum - 6 November 2025 - Key Discussion Points/Actions
Lime Bike Forum - 6 November 2025 - Presentations
How to report Lime bike issues
Whilst parking bays are being implemented, Lime bikes will still be able to park anywhere on a pavement. However, users must follow Lime’s rules, ensuring bikes do not obstruct pathways. This includes parking at the pavement's edge, leaving at least 2 metres of space, with wheels aligned to the curb. On completion of the current phase of parking bays, mandatory parking will be introduced, and users will only be able to start or end a journey within a designated parking bay.
A guide for users, and the public around parking can be found on the Lime website.
If you find a badly parked or abandoned Lime bike on a pavement when you are out in the borough, the best way to report it is to contact Lime directly:
- Email: brent@li.me
- Email: support@li.me
- Online: fixmystreet.com
Emails are monitored 24/7 by the Lime team and issues should be responded to within two hours. Problems reported via FixMyStreet go directly to Lime. If further action is needed, contact the Council at Transport.Strategy@brent.gov.uk.
Other operators
We are aware of an increase in e-bikes from other companies being parked around the borough. We're learning from best practice around London, and in the future we will be looking to launch a formal tender to codify working arrangements with operators and ensure Brent residents have a safe, affordable and clearer scheme. In the meantime, if you see any badly parked or abandoned bikes belonging to these other operators, please report them at:
- Email Human Forest: londonops@humanforest.co.uk
- Email Voi: support@voi.com
- Online: fixmystreet.com
Getting Brent moving
Lime has introduced several initiatives as part of a wider social mobility programme which will help improve access to cycling for Brent residents. These include:
- Cycle training
Residents can sign up to training sessions with Bikeworks and Cycle Sisters. Details of upcoming training dates can be found on their websites.
- Share the Joy Fund
This community cycling fund was launched by Lime in partnership with London Cycling Campaign. The scheme will be re-opening for applications in early 2026. If you’re a London-based community group, find out more and apply.
- Lime Access
This scheme provides those on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits with discounts on every ride to ensure cost isn’t a barrier to using the service. Further information can be found on the Lime website.