Call For Action Against Rented E-Bikes Being Dumped In Wimbledon
Shared Lime bikes being used in Merton despite no formal agreement
Calls have been made for action to be taken against rented Lime e-bikes being left strewn across pavements in and around Wimbledon.
The area covered by the global "electric shared vehicle" company has already expanded into Wimbledon, but there has been no agreement made with Merton council about parking areas.
It means the bright green bikes are frequently seen cast aside on pavements and leaning against walls in the area.
The National Federation for the Blind (NFB) has already said rented e-bikes are turning the streets of London into an obstacle course.
Now local campaign group, The Wimbledon Society, has asked if residents are being "plagued" by the e-bikes and asked what Merton Council is doing about them.
They tweeted via @WimSoc: "Are you plagued by Lime Bikes obstructing pavements and driveways? @Merton_Council - what are you doing about this problem which affects wheelchair users, families with buggies/prams and those who are partially sighted/blind @limebike"?
The e-bikes, which are available to rent for between 15p and 20p per minute, were discussed at Merton Council's Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel in September when the panel was told a "stategy was being put in place".
It was acknowledged that e-bikes were already appearing in Merton, despite no "authorisation" being granted.
Elsewhere in London the schemes have been more formally launched with dockless bike bays and maps to show where the bikes can be picked up and dropped off. In those areas, councils are suppose to enforce the agreed parking areas.
Lib Dem Councillor Anthony Fairclough said: "The Council is currently negotiating agreements with two providers. It is the case that Lime's service area already includes a significant part of the borough - but without any agreement on parking areas. "
October 24, 2022