Barnet could gain 200 shared ebike bays from car parking spaces
Transport for London plans new rules that may let councils convert on-street car spaces into docking bays
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Opinion piece framed as urgent solution, overstating Paris example.
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Barnet Council could convert on-street car parking spaces into dedicated bays for shared ebikes, under new rules being drafted by Transport for London. The proposal would follow a model already used in Paris, where tens of thousands of car spaces were repurposed for bike docking stations.
The change would address persistent complaints about misparked ebikes blocking pavements in Barnet. Forest, the largest operator in London, recorded 3 million rides in July 2026 alone, but poorly parked bikes remain a hazard for disabled pedestrians and other road users.
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How the scheme would work
A single car parking space can hold about 10 bicycles when repurposed for micromobility. If Barnet Council converted 15% of its on-street car parking spaces, it could create around 200 dedicated ebike bays, keeping bikes off pavements and reducing clutter.
The idea comes from Paris, where former mayor Anne Hidalgo’s administration converted car parking spaces into docking stations for the city’s Vélib’ bike scheme. The move also allowed for wider pavements and more trees, improving pedestrian access.
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Why now for Barnet
Car ownership in London is falling. Nearly two-thirds of inner London households own no car, but 18% still own two or more vehicles. Transport for London is now designing a pan-London licensing framework for shared micromobility, under the English Devolution Act, which will include rules on parking.
Agustín Guilisasti, founder and CEO of Forest, said the framework presents an opportunity to rethink how street space is used. "If the mayor and TfL converted even 15% of the on-street parking currently taken up by second cars into dedicated micromobility bays, this would create space for almost 1 million shared ebikes," he wrote in *The Guardian*.
If the mayor and TfL converted even 15% of the on-street parking currently taken up by second cars into dedicated micromobility bays, this would create space for almost 1 million shared ebikes.
Agustín Guilisasti, founder and CEO of Forest
What happens next
Transport for London is drafting the licensing framework and will consult boroughs, including Barnet Council, before finalising the rules. The consultation is expected to open later this year, giving residents a chance to respond.
Barnet Council has not yet commented on whether it would support converting car parking spaces into ebike bays. The council’s transport committee is scheduled to discuss the TfL framework at its next meeting on 15 October 2026.
Questions this report answers
+How many ebike bays could Barnet create from car parking spaces?
Barnet could create around 200 dedicated ebike bays by converting 15% of its on-street car parking spaces. A single car space can hold about 10 bicycles, making this a practical solution for reducing pavement clutter.
+What is Transport for London’s role in this scheme?
Transport for London is designing a pan-London licensing framework for shared micromobility, including ebikes. The framework will set rules for parking and is expected to be finalised after a public consultation later this year.
+Why is car ownership relevant to ebike parking?
Nearly two-thirds of inner London households own no car, but 18% still own two or more vehicles. Converting car parking spaces for ebikes would prioritise space for transport that serves thousands daily, rather than storing private vehicles.
+How can residents have their say on the new rules?
Residents can respond to the Transport for London consultation once the draft licensing framework is published. Barnet Council’s transport committee will also discuss the proposals at its meeting on 15 October 2026.
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