Fears over bicycle removal rules

Cycles parked in an obstructive position would be removed

Cycling groups fear that bicycles could be forcibly removed from London streets if new rules are approved.

A draft bill is currently going through parliament to give councils the power to de-clutter pavements.

Campaigner Tom Bogdanovicz said the policy would allow the removal of bikes chained to railings and lampposts and would "decimate cycling".

But Nick Lester, of London Councils, said cycles parked "properly and safely" would not be taken away.

'Obstructive position'

Mr Bogdanovicz, of London Cycling Campaign, said: "If the council start removing bikes from lampposts not giving anybody any notice, just leaving a little note, this could be really damaging."

He expressed concern that notification a bicycle had been removed, left by the council, could be stolen and used by someone other than the owner to recover the cycle.

London Councils' Mr Lester said most cycles would not be affected by the regulations.

He said: "Yes, cycles could be included if they are wilfully left in a dangerous and obstructive position. I think that's absolutely right.

"But it's not directed to the overwhelming majority of cycles which are parked properly and safely."