Draft bill will give London councils power to remove your bike from lamposts

This is the response I got today from the mayor's ofice:

"Thank you for your e-mail dated 23 January 2008 regarding the joint London Local Authorities and Transport for London (No. 2) Bill 2007 proposing the removal of items deposited on the highway. Your query was forwarded to us from the Mayor's Office for our response.
I can understand your concerns about the possible effects of these proposals. In 2003, our Cycling Centre for Excellence expressed concerns at a clause in proposed legislation containing express provision to allow for the removal of cycles. This proposal was eventually dropped.
We are aware that the provisions of the Bill include new powers to remove and dispose of items deposited on the highway, where it is considered necessary for the good or safe management of the highway or for the purposes of performing highway authority functions.
Unlike the earlier Bill, which contained provision expressly allowing for the removal of cycles, the 2007 Bill has a wide ambit. The primary intention of the provision is not to facilitate the removal of cycles.
We plan to meet with cycling representatives to discuss their concerns further, and to discuss with the Mayor's Office and London Councils appropriate action at the Bill's Committee stage.
I appreciate you taking the time to write to us about this issue. If I can be of assistance with any further queries please feel free to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob"

Well, to be honest, I don't trust the London councils one bit to exercise their powers in a responsible manner if they see an opportunity to make some cash off the scheme... (tickets, removal fees, whatever...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/22/carbonemissions.travelandtransport
http://www.lcc.wholething.co.uk/index.asp?PageID=1061