The amount of bike storage that needs to be provided in new housing developments in London is to be watered down, it can be revealed.
New rules announced by Housing Secretary Steve Reed and mayor Sir Sadiq Khan on Thursday that cut the overall percentage of affordable homes from 35 per cent to 20 per cent also include "amendments to cycle storage requirements" in the small print.
This will reduce the number of secure bike spaces that have to be provided - and could also permit developers to make a financial contribution in lieu of building bike racks or allow them to be built some distance from the new homes.
City Hall believes this is acceptable because of the rise in the number of Londoners hiring dockless e-bikes, such as those provided by Lime and Forest.
However, the London Cycling Campaign says the proposal runs counter to the mayor's long-term aim of getting 80 per cent of journeys made by active transport, such as cycling, by 2041.
Studies have repeatedly found that one of the key barriers to increasing the number of Londoners cycling is the lack of secure bike parking.
It has also emerged that developers will only have to complete the first floor of developments by March 31, 2030 to qualify for subsidies of up to £220,000 per home - potentially dashing hopes that the easing of the rules would spark an immediate rush to build.
Documents published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government say the new rules, which will undergo public consultation before coming into force probably early next year, will include "the removal of elements of guidance that can constrain density... and amendments to cycle storage requirements".
In relation to cycle storage, the documents state: "The GLA [Greater London Authority] propose to reduce requirements for cycle parking at residential developments, taking into account higher densities of development in London and the rise of dockless cycle and e-scooter hire.
"Additional flexibility will also be proposed in how the cycle storage is provided to avoid costly requirements e.g. for extra basement levels or loss of housing units; this could include off-site provision, contributions in lieu, and other options."
Tom Fyans, chief executive of the London Cycling Campaign, said: "Small amounts of cycle parking aren't what's making housing developments unviable.
"The mayor is committed, for climate, health and many other reasons to increasing cycling for the next two decades - homes and offices built now will need to cope with demand in 50 years time.
"Moans from some property developers their central London cycle parking spaces aren't well used also seem specious given they're often in areas hostile to cycling and/or crammed into a badly-lit corner next to the bins.
"It's also interesting that in this housing emergency, the government isn't talking about cutting car parking or making it easier to turn car parks next to tube stations in outer London into housing."
The Standard has asked the mayor's spokesman and the MCHLG what the changes to bike storage are likely to mean in practice.
Under the current version of the London Plan, which sets the rules on development in the capital, one cycle parking space should be provided per studio or one-bedroom flat, 1.5 spaces per two-person flat and two spaces for all other homes.
The temporary change in the rules on affordable homes - which will last until March 2028 - has been welcomed by developers but criticised by homelessness charities and politicians across the political spectrum - including some London Labour MPs.
Even Len Duvall, the veteran Labour leader on the London Assembly, described the lowering of the affordability figure as "disappointing".
Lib-Dem MP Luke Taylor, the party's London spokesman, described it as "infuriating", and added: "The mayor and Government are effectively handing developers a get-out, and Londoners on waiting lists across our city will suffer."
The lower threshold will not apply to sites on "grey" or "green belt" land. The 20 per cent figure will be calculated on the basis of the number of habitable rooms in a development.