This meeting of the Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committe will include presentations from two providers of dockless bike hire schemes in the borough. The committee will also receive a report on a long-running scrutiny review, and an update on how another review is progressing.

Dockless bikes in Islington

The committee has scheduled presentations from two providers of dockless bike hire schemes that operate in Islington: Lime and Forest Bikes.

The report pack includes an update from Lime on how they have sought to address problems caused by users parking bikes dangerously or inconsiderately. The report notes that:

The roll-out of the borough’s parking bay network will deliver a step-change by ensuring that users park in mandated and approved parking locations.

Lime’s presentation also outlines their Share the Joy scheme, which provides funding to organisations that encourage people to cycle. The report explains that:

Following an initial £100,000 contribution in 2024, Lime is investing a further £250,000 in our Share the Joy Fund, with applications for the next funding window now open.

The committee also has a presentation from Forest Bikes scheduled.

A separate report, titled “Cycle Hire in Islington”, has been prepared for the meeting. This report notes that:

Safety concerns are frequently raised by residents in relation to the use of rental e-bikes on pavements.

It also explains that:

It is an offence to ride an e-bike on the pavement and this is enforced by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Greener, Cleaner, More Inclusive Streets

The committee will receive a report on the “Accessibility and Inclusiveness of the Streets” element of the “Greener, Cleaner, More Inclusive Streets” scrutiny review. The report contains a draft of the recommendations for this scrutiny review topic.

Scrutiny Review - Cleaner Streets

The meeting will include a verbal update from officers on the progress of a scrutiny review on cleaner streets in Islington. The workplan for the committee explains that this topic was selected at their previous meeting on 14 January 2025, the minutes for which are available online¹.