Residents express concern over abandoned e-bikes

Many say that the bikes are causing accessibility issues and safety issues across the borough
By Olivia Opara

Over the past year there has been an uptick in the amount of dockless e-bikes being abandoned across the borough.

On social media there has been numerous discussions about dockless e-bikes being parked haphazardly on footpaths and pavements around Haringey. Residents have raised concerns about how Lime bikes in particular are causing accessibility issues.

Tottenham resident, Tania said: “People in wheelchairs or scooters will struggle [to get around the e-bikes], as will blind people, not to mention people in general who have trouble walking.”

Lime bikes are part of a London-wide initiative to get more people cycling.

Following complaints about the bikes being abandoned haphazardly in Haringey, the council said: “Lime have been instructed to ensure that their bikes are removed swiftly as we do not want users to be able to finish (or start) their trips within the borough until further notice.”

Mike Hakata, cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport, confirmed that there is no agreement for dockless e-bikes to park in Haringey.

He said: “We have already written to Lime reminding them of their responsibilities and the hazard their abandoned bikes are causing pedestrians. The company has committed to remove bikes causing an obstruction within hours of being reported and we will continue to closely monitor their response”

Local resident, Dave, told HCP that even though he has no objections to the principle of bike hire firms, he is in favour of measures to improve cycling in the borough. “What I do object to, though, is operators like Lime being allowed to operate their for profit business, and store their vehicles, in public areas, parks and footpaths. What benefit do we, as a community, get from that?”

Seven Sisters local, Meryem, recalled an incident two years ago, when a nine year-old boy’s hand became caught between the chain and lock of a Lime Bike after it had been abandoned.

She said: “I found him stuck on the floor desperately crying and lots of people tried to get his hand out but it was not possible. We had to call the fire brigade. His hands were severely bruised and injured.”

Hal Stevenson, Lime’s senior public affairs manager for the UK, said: “It’s really encouraging that more and more Haringey residents and visitors are using Lime’s shared e-bikes to make safe and sustainable trips in the borough and across London.

“We are working with Haringey Council to manage bikes left in the borough more effectively, and have agreed clear timeframes to remove obstructive bikes.

“We continue to educate users on the importance of parking responsibly, and will warn, fine and ultimately ban non-compliant riders.“

There is market testing underway by the council to establish its own well-managed and controlled trial scheme of shared e-bikes in 2023, to encourage people to travel actively.

Cllr Mike Hakata: “To avoid the problem of abandoned bikes creating a mess and obstructing pavements, a key feature of any future cycle hire scheme in Haringey will be, where possible, the use of bays or docking stations where cyclists should leave bikes once they have finished their journey.”

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