North South Wines, a B Corp-certified company, has officially relocated its headquarters within the Bicester Motion estate, moving from The Guard House to the larger Command Works facility, Building 144.

The expanded site will support 37 staff and allow the business to scale up its operations.

Kim Wilson, founder and managing director of North South Wines, said: “We’re incredibly excited to expand our presence at Bicester Motion.

“Moving into a larger space gives us the capacity we need to continue to grow our wine distribution operations while staying true to our sustainability commitments.

“Staying local is extremely important for us and we love being part of the site community as well as the wider Bicester community.”

The company, which relocated to the Bicester Motion estate in 2023, has since increased its annual turnover from £25 million to £40 million.

Founded 12 years ago, North South Wines was the UK’s first B Corp-certified wine importer.

Since its move to Bicester Motion, the company has grown its annual turnover from £25 million to £40 million.

North South Wines has planted more than 12,100 trees as part of its environmental efforts.

Its growth and sustainability-focused approach align closely with the wider mission of Bicester Motion.

Daniel Geoghegan, CEO of Bicester Motion, said: “Bicester Motion is home to businesses that are pushing boundaries and thinking differently about the future, so it’s fantastic to support North South Wines as they expand their operations with us.”

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Nearly 3,000 powered cycles and e-bikes were stolen in London last year, a 21% increase from the previous year.

Data obtained from the Metropolitan Police showed 2,966 powered cycles and e-bikes were stolen in the capital during 2025, up from 2,448 in 2024. Pelion said the total was likely the highest on record.

The figures add to signs of rapid growth in London’s micromobility market. Transport for London recently reported a 50% year-on-year increase in demand for rental e-scooters in the 12 months to September 2025.

The city’s rental e-scooter trial has also expanded, with Lime and Voi operating across more than 1,600 parking bays in 11 participating boroughs.

Pelion’s wider study of European cities found London had the largest number of e-bikes among the markets it examined. The report counted more than 75,000 e-bikes across free-floating and station-based schemes in London, compared with 38,000 in Paris, 20,000 in Berlin and 18,000 in Milan.

By contrast, London had a much smaller e-scooter fleet. The city had 4,000 e-scooters, far behind Berlin’s 19,000, because local rules limit each operator to 2,000 vehicles.

Theft trend

The latest total extends a multi-year rise, though the pattern has not been steady. Metropolitan Police figures cited by Pelion showed 2,171 thefts in 2021, 2,216 in 2022, 2,120 in 2023, 2,448 in 2024 and 2,966 in 2025.

The increase comes as e-bikes become more visible on London’s streets through both private ownership and shared schemes. More vehicles in circulation can widen the market for resale and parts, while making it harder for operators and owners to secure them.

Pelion’s report, produced with Berg Insight, examined connected systems used in micromobility fleets. It said telematics installations in powered bicycles are expected to rise from nearly 2 million in 2026 to just under 3.5 million by the end of 2029.

These systems can provide location, battery status and usage data. In theft cases, operators and manufacturers use them to monitor vehicles and support recovery efforts.

Insurance pressure

Dave Weidner outlined Pelion’s view of the shift in risk facing the sector.

“E-bikes and powered cycles have shifted from low-value assets to high-value targets. Their portability and resale value make them significantly more vulnerable to theft than cars or motorcycles, and the impact is growing as adoption scales.”

“In that context, connectivity-enabled services are becoming a clear differentiator for manufacturers looking to strengthen their market position in this space. Many are already responding by adopting stolen vehicle tracking solutions based on embedded cellular connectivity, reflected in the growing volume of telematics deployments across the sector.”

“In some markets, insurers are already mandating approved tracking solutions or pricing risk accordingly. That dynamic will only accelerate. Theft is no longer a side issue in micromobility; it is becoming a defining factor in how these services are built, deployed and scaled in London, across the UK and Europe,” said Weidner, Pelion’s Chief Executive.

The data points to growing tension in London’s transport mix. Shared and privately owned electric two-wheelers are becoming more common as cities push lower-emission travel, but rising theft adds costs for operators, owners and insurers.

For fleet operators, losses can affect vehicle availability, maintenance schedules and replacement spending. For consumers, theft risk may influence where they park, what security devices they buy and whether insurance remains affordable.

London’s position is notable because it combines a large e-bike base with tighter e-scooter rules than some European peers. That has made the capital one of the biggest markets for electric cycles while limiting the scale of scooter fleets.

With more than 75,000 e-bikes already in free-floating and station-based schemes, the city stands out as a major test case for how operators, manufacturers and insurers respond to a rising theft problem.

Rhys Smith, who has worked with the Oxford Bus Company since June 2024 and lives in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, launched the support group Men’s Minds with his brother Aaron in September.

The group, which now has 15 regular attendees, meets every other Friday for community sessions and every other Saturday for football meet-ups at Leys Pools and Leisure Centre.

Mr Smith said: “I’ve got a personal connection to this issue, as there’s a family history when it comes to mental health.

“The normal processes don’t always work, and people can struggle to get the right support.

“I wanted to start something new and different, and the reaction from family and friends was huge.

“I was posting videos on social media, and they were getting lots of shares and comments.”

The group has steadily grown through word-of-mouth and outreach, which has included putting up posters in gyms, shops and barbers around Blackbird Leys, an area Mr Smith knows well.

He said: “In Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys, the rates for self-harm are higher than anywhere else in Oxfordshire.

“I’ve lived in Blackbird Leys all my life and I know everyone here.

“We began putting posters, leaflets, and banners up in gyms, barbers, and shops, and it’s been growing since.”

Mr Smith said: “We’re all part of a brotherhood.

“There’s a WhatsApp group where we check-in and chat with each other.

“When we meet, we talk about our plans, we joke and laugh, and what we want to provide is something different to your average mental health group.

“I don’t want people sitting in a circle watching a screen.

“It’s about everyone talking and there being a togetherness.”

Recently, members of Men’s Minds climbed Snowdon together.

Mr Smith said: “It was an incredible experience, and I feel very fortunate to have completed it with the group of lads we went up with.

“It was by no means an easy task, but we all made it to the top.

“There were a few challenging moments along the way, however we supported one another throughout and remained committed to not leaving anyone behind.”

His efforts have been recognised by his employer.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Rhys for the way he is tackling one of society’s biggest issues.

“Mental health is something the business take very seriously, yet it’s a topic which we generally shy away from as a community.

“Rhys is a real credit to Oxford Bus Company as he continues to open conversations and seek positive change.”