Hire e-bikes dumped near Hampstead Heath cause 'chaos'

As spring sets in, scores of people are descending on South End Green on e-bikes to visit the Heath on sunny days.

But many find the bike parking bay is already full, and with nowhere else other than South End Road's pavements, there is little space left for walkers.

• MOST READ: Free gelato on offer at new ice cream parlour near Hampstead Heath

One South Hill Park resident, who would not give her name, said the number of bikes "doubles" on a weekend.

She said: "They park but not in an ordinary fashion. There's just a big jumble of bikes all across the road. It's a joke."

Hampstead Heath is run by the City of London Corporation, while the surrounding roads are the responsibility of Camden Council.

The council has a contract with cycle hire providers Human Forest and Lime to promote the use of parking bays for the bikes.

Kate O'Neil, who lives in Parliament Hill, believes a vacant area of the Heath near the path could be used for additional parking - "because that's where they are going".

E-bikes 'take over' the pavement in South End Road, South End Green, an entrance to Hampstead Heath (Image: JB)Melissa Fairbanks, who is part of the Heath & Hampstead Society sub committee, said: "It's lovely people come to the Heath but if it's blocking the pedestrian traffic and the roads, then that's too much."

E-bikes parked outside shops including the House of Mistry Pharmacy in South End Green (Image: HoM)

Kamlesh Patel, of House of Mistry Pharmacy, said: "It's terrible, they just leave them anywhere, sometimes in front of the shop. They don't have any respect for anyone."

He added: "You can't say they can't bring the bikes but there has to be a better solution.

"The council could liaise with the Heath to have a parking place for bikes like they do for cars."

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “It is important that the bike and e-scooter companies ensure the allocated bays are kept uncluttered.

The e-bike bay at the Hampstead Heath entrance in South End Green on a quiet weekday (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

"We will continue to work with them to do this, including on days of high demand at popular locations such as Hampstead Heath.

"We are also monitoring this area and other locations to ensure there are enough parking spaces to meet increasing demand."

A spokesperson for CoLC said: “We encourage visitors to cycle responsibly and respect all Heath users,” they added.

A spokesperson for Lime said: "One of the most significant challenges facing our industry is the issue of overcrowded parking bays, particularly in areas where demand for e-bikes exceeds the space made available for parking.

"We welcome the opportunity to work with the City of London to allocate additional parking spaces in suitable areas of Hampstead Heath and are working closely with Camden Council, partners and other operators to address this issue.

"Expanding overall parking capacity will alleviate the pressure on existing sites and ensure smoother service operations here and across London."