Lee Green Assembly last night heard more details about Lewisham Council’s partnership with Lime which is aimed at preventing the electric bikes being dumped randomly around the area, blocking pavements and creating trip hazards.
Under the scheme, which won’t be rolled out until next year, users will have to return the bikes to designated parking bays. If they don’t, they will effectively be fined, as they will continue to be charged. Lime has already signed similar agreements with other London boroughs, including Hackney.
“The new scheme and new service agreement will require that Lime use their technology to prevent people from ending their rides outside of designated parking zones, which will be spread out across the borough,” said Cllr James Rathbone.
The location of the bays will be decided after a consultation process. Lewisham Council has just issued a set of FAQs about the scheme which can be found here.
“Lime is not being required to stop operating in the borough. They have to agree to the terms of the new license but they’re not being required to withdraw their service until that happens,” added Cllr Rathbone. “They also have to keep meeting existing Terms and Conditions about sending people out to remove dumped bikes, particularly if they’re reported, and the council is working to try to get their response time improved and hold them to account.”
Lime is committed to removing bikes parked obstructively or discarded within 12 hours once reported. In cases where bikes are causing an immediate obstruction or danger, they will be removed within two hours once reported.
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