Drunk and dangerous e-bike riders face on-the-spot fines under crackdown
A consultation will consider fines and other ways to clamp down on dangerous e-bike riders.
Drunk and dangerous e-bike riders could be hit with on-the-spot fines under a new crackdown.
People who ride e-bikes while drunk or dangerously, as well as those who run red lights, may face immediate penalties under plans aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour.
Companies operating shared e-bike schemes will also be expected to manage their fleets more effectively and provide designated parking spaces to help keep pavements clear and safe.
They could also be required to take out insurance so that people can claim compensation if they are struck by someone on a shared bike.
The move is part of a crackdown on what ministers described as the "wild west" of e-biking, with a patchwork of rules across the country often leaving streets unsafe for pedestrians.
A consultation launched on Thursday sets out proposed national standards designed to make journeys safer for everyone and keep pavements clear, especially for wheelchair users and families with prams.
The first e-bikes were introduced in Exeter in 2016 and reached London a year later, before growing into a popular commuting option.
According to the Greater London Authority, 37 million trips were made on dockless e-bikes last year - a third more than the year before.
Shared e-bikes such as Lime, Voi, Beryl, Dott, Forest and Bolt make short trips fast and convenient.
While some areas have rules requiring shared bikes to be left only in specific places, others have more relaxed regulations.
Under the government's proposals, local leaders would be able to licence schemes in their area, giving them the power to enforce minimum standards and better connect e-bikes with existing transport networks.
The measures could include requiring operators to have a parking plan and to control fleet sizes and operating areas, so bikes do not overcrowd streets.
The consultation will also look at ways to address antisocial and illegal behaviour, to stop users riding shared cycles drunk, underage, or on pavements. Clear consequences would also be set out - including fines for this kind of behaviour.
The government is also consulting on whether local leaders should be given additional powers, including setting fees and requiring operators to share data to improve enforcement and journey planning.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the e-bike clampdown was a "small but important everyday fix" that would make streets safer.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the changes would "stop nuisance parking, tackle antisocial behaviour and make journeys safer".
Executives at Lime, Voi and Bolt all backed the proposals, saying that applying consistent standards across the country would give clarity and certainty to operators, riders and the wider public.