The Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee meeting on 25 November 2025 reviewed progress on the Active Travel Programme, heard presentations from dockless bike operators Lime and Forest, and received evidence on household recycling and waste reduction from community groups and ReLondon. Key discussions included the implementation of active travel recommendations, the challenges and opportunities presented by dockless bike schemes, and strategies for improving recycling rates and promoting reuse and repair.

Active Travel Progress Report

The committee received an update on the progress made in implementing the 11 recommendations from a previous scrutiny review of the Active Travel Programme. David Shannon, Active Travel Team Leader, presented the report, highlighting achievements across various areas.

• Roads and Pavements: A borough-wide condition report of roads and pavements has been completed, assessing 500 kilometres of pavements to prioritise improvements. This data is now being used to inform the footway renewal programme. The council has also commissioned accessibility audits to identify and prioritise areas for improvements such as dropped kerbs and tactile paving, as part of a dedicated People-Friendly Pavements programme.
• Reporting Issues: The My Islington platform and the Love Clean Streets app have been streamlined to make it easier for residents to report issues with pavements and cycling infrastructure. Since March 2025, over 2,600 reports have been received via the Love Clean Streets app.
• Decluttering and Accessibility: Designs for new transport projects are assessed for accessibility, aiming to reduce clutter by removing unnecessary signs and barriers for cargo bikes, wheelchairs, and adaptive cycles.
• Dockless Bike Parking: The roll-out of designated parking bays for hire bikes has accelerated, with 147 bays installed by August 2025 and a further 57 planned by October. The council aims to reach 250 bays by early 2026, after which a mandatory bay parking system will be introduced. The council is also working with operators to manage issues at hotspots and has begun removing badly parked hire bikes under the Highways Act 1980. Legislation is being lobbied for to grant powers to license micromobility schemes.
• Active Travel Webpages and Community Links: The active travel landing page has been updated with input from Public Health, featuring diverse images and links to community and inclusion initiatives, including a widening programme for underrepresented groups in cycling.
• Wider Participation in Cycling: The council has strengthened partnerships with Adult Social Care and Children's Services to encourage wider participation in cycling programmes. Initiatives include cycle training for the elderly, a cycle passenger service, an affordable cycle purchase scheme, social prescribing, all-ability cycling, and a women's cycling programme. Over 2,264 participants were recorded in these projects in 2024/25. Funding has been secured to continue these projects for a further two years.
• Infrastructure and Cycle Hubs: The Liveable Neighbourhoods programme continues with the Mildmay and Cally schemes, focusing on safer walking and cycling connections. New cycle lanes and pedestrian improvements have been delivered. The council has installed 562 on-street bike hangars and 377 secure cycle storage facilities on estates. A pilot for professional cycle mechanics courses has been offered at Holloway Park.
• Health and Social Prescribing: The Public Health team is training GPs and primary care practitioners on physical activity opportunities. A new Healthwise referral scheme was launched in October 2024, with 515 patients referred in its first nine months. Social prescribing link workers also promote active travel opportunities. Partnerships with The Bike Project and the NHS Social Prescribing team are enabling asylum seekers to receive free bikes and training.
• Crossing Times: The council is working with Transport for London (TfL) to ensure sufficient crossing times for people with mobility restrictions on main roads. Longer crossing times have been provided at Highbury Corner, and a crossing on Old Street is under review with TfL.
• Reducing Conflicts: A literature review has been conducted to assess evidence on interactions between pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users. Findings suggest that physical separation and adequate width are key to reducing conflicts. Existing Islington initiatives, such as Liveable Neighbourhoods and protected cycle lanes, incorporate these design elements.
• Lobbying and Enforcement: The council has lobbied for legislation to regulate micromobility schemes and has worked with the police on enforcement regarding illegal cycling in pedestrian areas and pavement cycling. A motorcycle road safety charter has been launched with delivery companies.

Councillor James Potts declared an interest as a user of Lime and Forest bikes.

Dockless Bikes: Presentations from Lime and Forest Bike

Representatives from Lime and Forest bike shared updates on their operations in Islington.

• Lime: Jack McKenna from Lime highlighted efforts to address parking issues, including piloting incentives for riders to remove bikes from overcrowded areas. He noted that the company is working on improving its technology to prevent bikes from being parked obstructively and that repeat offenders can be fined or banned. Lime's Respect the Red campaign aims to promote safe riding behaviour.
• Forest: Alex Burwin from Forest presented their sustainability credentials, including using 100% renewable energy and offsetting emissions. Forest has seen a doubling of rides in Islington between January and July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. They are working on gender parity in their user base and have donated £25,000 to Bikeability. Forest is also introducing new pricing technology to encourage users to move bikes from oversaturated or irresponsibly parked locations.

Councillors raised concerns about badly parked and obstructive bikes, particularly Lime bikes, and the time taken to remove them. Eshwin Prabhu, Head of Transport Strategy and Air Quality, explained that the council is transitioning to a mandatory bay parking system and is working proactively with Lime and Forest to address issues. The council has also deployed its own resources to tidy bikes if operators are slow to respond. Both companies are working to improve their technology, including AI-powered end-of-ride photo verification, to ensure bikes are parked correctly.

Discussions also covered rider behaviour, with concerns raised about speeding and riding on pavements. Lime highlighted its Respect the Red campaign and the Respect the Red emails sent to users, while Forest is exploring pop-up reminders and a drink-ride test. Both companies are working to make safety information more prominent on their apps.

Questions were also raised about the removal of QR codes from Lime bikes, making reporting difficult, and the age verification software used by both companies. The council's investment in parking infrastructure and the companies' community donations were also discussed.

Household Recycling Rates and Waste Reduction Scrutiny Review - Witness Evidence

The committee heard presentations from Islington Fixers, Archway Upcycle, and ReLondon regarding reuse and repair initiatives.

• Islington Fixers: Pavel Return, representing Islington Fixers, described the group's mission to break down barriers to reuse and repair, focusing on electrical and electronic items. Since December 2023, they have held 18 events, with 477 attendees, and have fixed numerous items, keeping them out of landfill. They are seeking a permanent venue and more volunteers.
• Archway Upcycle: Hannah, co-founder of Archway Upcycle, explained how the group rescues and reclaims materials to offer free use of tools, materials, and training for upcycling projects. They have a strong community of volunteers and have seen a high conversion rate to sustainable practices among members. Archway Upcycle is also facing challenges with finding suitable long-term workshop and storage space.
• ReLondon: Anthony Buckland and Freya Rose from ReLondon discussed their work with local authorities to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, circular city. They highlighted the challenges of recycling in dense urban areas, particularly for flats, and presented research on improving recycling rates. ReLondon also supports place-based circular economy action, citing examples of grants to Islington businesses and a circular food community project in Caledonian Ward. They emphasised the importance of ongoing resource and communication for effective recycling services.

Councillors expressed concern about the lack of suitable premises for these groups and discussed potential solutions, including the use of disused spaces and council support. Discussions also touched upon the challenges of sourcing items for repair and upcycling, the importance of legislation to support repair, and the need for better infrastructure for reuse. The council's work on improving recycling services for flats and promoting circular economy initiatives was also highlighted.

2025-26 Committee Work Plan

The committee noted the proposed work plan for 2025-26, which includes a review of active travel, scrutiny of household recycling rates and waste reduction, and updates on net zero carbon and climate action. A special Climate Emergency Public Meeting is scheduled for 10 March 2026.