Cyclists ignore Oxford Street ban as mayor’s costly pedestrian scheme meets immediate resistance
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E-bike riders and delivery workers were filmed using Oxford Street after the mayor’s administration imposed a temporary ban on buses, taxis and cyclists between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, prompting fresh criticism over cost, safety and process.
Cyclists entered Oxford Street on Monday morning even though a temporary pedestrianisation scheme took effect at 7 a.m., prohibiting buses, taxis and bicycles on the stretch from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street until midnight. Video footage showed e-bike riders and delivery couriers riding along the high street despite attempts by bystanders to stop them, highlighting how quickly the new rules were challenged in practice.
The mayor’s office says the measure is part of a phased plan to collect real-time data and eventually make the street permanently pedestrian-only. The first phase includes installing two public squares, more than 100 seats, dining tables and over 50 trees, with an estimated cost of £150 million, a price tag that critics say will be paid for by taxpayers whether they want it or not.
Lime, a shared e-bike operator, confirmed that Oxford Street is a “no-riding zone” and that its e-bikes will emit warning sounds and then slow down and shut off if users ignore the restriction. The company’s response underscores how disruptive the new scheme is for ordinary users and workers trying to get through the area.
Conservative Westminster councillor Tim Barnes criticised the rollout, describing the process as “rushed” and “anti-democratic” and expressing concerns about safety, policing and the impact on local businesses. He also questioned the funding source, stating the project is being financed with public money, a complaint many ratepayers are likely to share.
London Assembly member Susan Hall echoed similar criticism, saying the mayor’s approach disregards the needs of residents, businesses and disabled Londoners. Opponents argue that the plan is being imposed from above with little regard for the people most affected by the disruption.
A spokesperson for the mayor responded that the pedestrianisation has strong support from Londoners and businesses and that the administration will continue to work with the council and other stakeholders to create a “vibrant, world-class, accessible destination” for the city.