Fancy grabbing a hire bike for the school run, the shops or a spin down to the park? Waltham Forest Council is weighing up whether to bring dockless e-bike hire to the borough — and before anything happens, it wants to hear what residents think.
The borough already has a decent head start. With almost 60 kilometres of cycle lanes and more than 1,000 bike hangars for residents, the council describes Waltham Forest as the best borough in London to cycle in. The e-bike proposal is about adding another option for getting from A to B.
Hire e-bikes have taken off across the capital, with around 150,000 e-bike trips made in London every day. The council says any scheme introduced here would be done "in a safe and responsible way", with residents involved at every step.
Which is where you come in. A borough-wide survey is open now, and it is deliberately aimed at everyone — not just people who already cycle. If you have never been on a bike in your life but you have views about where they end up parked, that counts too. The responses will shape how a hire scheme would work and who it serves.
How to have your say
- Online: complete the short survey at talk.walthamforest.gov.uk/dockless-e-bikes-engagement
- In person: feedback sessions are being held at local events and venues
Cllr Paul Perkins, Leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: "Greener and more convenient travel for our residents is at the heart of what we want to deliver for our borough." He said the council was committed to a safe and convenient scheme that works for everyone, whether you're a cyclist or not.
No decision has been taken yet — that is rather the point of asking first.
