While the Greens say there has been a “significant” amount of support for the proposals, many have expressed concern over the potential obstruction of pavements, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Waltham Forest Council has seen “significant support” for introducing dockless e-bikes to the borough, but pushback over the potential obstruction of pavements.
The new Green administration launched a consultation on its proposals back in August, which has so far seen more than 3,000 responses.
Dockless e-bikes – electric bikes that can be hired through an app – are a popular way for Londoners to get around, with around 150,000 trips made across the capital every day.
The issue was raised at a full council meeting last week, with Labour councillor Miriam Mirwitch pressing the Greens on the measures they will take to “ensure that dockless bikes do not obstruct pavements and cause difficulties for pedestrians, particularly disabled residents and those with mobility or visual impairments”.
In a pre-written response, council leader Paul Perkins said the scheme had received “significant support” and that hazardous and obstructive parking could be mitigated through a “range of measures”.
These could include introducing designated parking bays, geofencing technology that require users to park in approved locations before a journey can be completed, and restrictions on parking in “sensitive locations where obstruction risks are higher”.
Cllr Perkins said: “We recognise that concerns about dockless bikes obstructing footways and creating difficulties for pedestrians, particularly disabled residents and those with mobility or visual impairments, are among the issues being raised through the ongoing dockless e-bike engagement.
“It is worth recognising that poorly parked dockless bikes are frequently the result of the lack of a scheme or formalised arrangements with e-bike providers.”
Other measures could include requiring operators to “respond quickly” to reports of wrongly parked bikes and remove them if necessary, as well as monitoring “parking compliance and user behaviour”.
“Any future scheme would need to strike an appropriate balance between supporting sustainable travel and ensuring that the borough’s streets and footways remain safe, accessible and welcoming for all users,” the council leader added.
“The outcome of the consultation will help inform any future decision and the design of any potential scheme.”
No decision has yet been made on whether Lime and Forest bikes will finally come to the borough and the consultation is due to end on Sunday, 8th November.
The council previously said “clear rules” would be in place for operators and walking routes would be “strongly protected”.
Since the Greens took control in May, 66 new bike hangars have been installed across the borough, bringing the total to 1,125.
This means an extra 396 spaces have opened, though the waiting list currently sits at around 4,200.
You can take part in the consultation until Sunday, 8th November here
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