Councillor Emma Best said the Tories did not oppose the introduction of dockless e-bikes in the borough but urged the council to enforce eleven “firm red lines” around their use, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Waltham Forest opposition councillors have warned that dockless e-bikes will require tough regulation ahead of their potential introduction to the borough.
The Green-led administration launched a public consultation last month, in response to public demand for the council to allow Lime, Forest and other rental companies to operate in the borough.
Dockless e-bikes are a popular way for Londoners to get around, with around 150,000 trips made across the capital every day.
Council leader Councillor Paul Perkins said the town hall “will not rush into any decision”.
He previously said that “clear rules” would be in place, as he laid out early proposals to give residents “even more green and easy options.”
Councillor Emma Best, leader of the local Conservatives, said this week her group did not oppose their introduction but stressed “such schemes can also create significant problems if they are introduced without sufficiently robust rules, infrastructure and enforcement from day one”.
In a letter to Cllr Perkins, she wrote: “A properly managed scheme may provide benefits, but those benefits cannot come at the expense of pedestrian safety, accessibility or existing residents.
“Other London boroughs have already learned some difficult lessons about what happens when the number of bikes, parking capacity and enforcement arrangements are not properly aligned.
“Waltham Forest has the opportunity to learn from that experience rather than repeat it.”
Her letter lays out eleven “firm red lines” she recommends the council implements to keep the borough accessible and operational.
She said bikes “must only be parked in properly marked designated bays” and these spots “must not obstruct pedestrians or disabled people” nor come at the expense of existing car parking.
It is “particularly important that disabled residents are involved at the design stage rather than simply being consulted after a scheme has been developed,” she said.
The recommendations also included imposing “meaningful penalties” on “irresponsible” cyclists and fitting e-bikes with registration plates to catch “rogue” riders.
“The operator, not the taxpayer, should meet the costs created by the scheme,” she added.
Cllr Perkins told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the town hall “will thoroughly consider the feedback we receive from residents and businesses and ensure we take on board lessons and best practice from those other boroughs who have successfully introduced similar schemes.”
He said in full: “In line with our manifesto commitments, we are carefully examining proposals to introduce a dockless bike hire scheme in Waltham Forest.
“We are listening to what residents have to say to get a clear picture of their views and needs, so that any scheme can be introduced appropriately and is effectively managed.
“We will not rush into any decision. We will thoroughly consider the feedback we receive from residents and businesses and ensure we take on board lessons and best practice from those other boroughs who have successfully introduced similar schemes.”
There are almost 60 kilometres of cycle lanes in Waltham Forest and more than 1,000 bike hangars, according to council figures.
The public survey will close on Sunday, 8th November.
No decisions have yet been made on operators, the number of e-bikes, or when the scheme would begin.
Read more: Greens launch public consultation on bringing dockless e-bikes to Waltham Forest
Take part in the consultation survey here
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