New city centre rules for bikes and street trading on the way

Leeds City Council officers have since been drawing up the necessary regulations and signage, with the new rules now due to officially come into place over the next few months.

Once implemented, the action plan will mean a requirement to walk (rather than ride) bicycles and e-bikes within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area from 10.30am until 8pm every day.

At present, an estimated 1,100 bikes travel up and down Briggate each day, including heavy bikes used by delivery drivers, which can travel up to 45 mph and pose a serious potential risk to pedestrian safety in the event of a collision.

The action plan will also introduce prohibitions around certain street trading activities in targeted areas. This will include mobile street traders, also known as pedlars, with extended restrictions in place during major city centre events including Leeds Pride, Light Night Leeds and the Leeds Christmas Market.

Many pedlars currently gather in the same areas at the same times, particularly during major events, which can result in access issues on key routes along with some associated anti-social behaviour and the sale of counterfeit goods.

Anyone contravening the new regulations could be given a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice. Enforcement will be carried out proportionately during the initial period following the introduction of the new regulations.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council, said: “The city centre welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and our aim is for every one of them to have the best and safest possible experience of Leeds.

“Through this action plan, we’ve taken important and meaningful steps to address issues which the public have consistently told us were impacting their enjoyment of the city centre whilst also creating potential safety issues for shoppers and pedestrians.

“With these new regulations in place, our hope is that both day-to-day visits and major events will now be even more enjoyable, successful and welcoming.”

The new restrictions on pedlars are expected to be in place on October 1, 2026, with restrictions on bikes in pedestrianised areas due to be in place by the end of the year

ENDS