We are having lots of people contacting us with complaints about Lime bikes that are left inconsiderately blocking pavements. A particular area of concern is opposite Norbiton station, partially caused by an exclusion zone around the station.
We have taken this up with Lime previously, but in reality it requires Kingston Council to stand up to them, in order to agree an improved scheme.
The current problems, whereby we have bikes left randomly on pavements, is happening after the Council reviewed the system a few years ago, and held lengthy discussions with Lime. The previous review and discussions have clearly not had the desired effect. For some reason the south of the borough does not allow Lime bikes (including Surbiton), yet north Kingston does.
What is possible is a system that prevents those who hire Lime bikes from terminating the hire unless it is at an approved cycle parking area. Their system allows this parking area to be quite precise. The Lime system is also capable of preventing cycle hires from being terminated at a cycle parking area that has too many there already. Up until now, cyclists who leave their bike blocking a pavement might receive a message telling them off, but the system still allows them to terminate their hire anyway. If hirers are prevented from terminating their hire at the somewhere unsuitable (such as the end of Wolverton Avenue opposite Norbiton station), they would be forced to go elsewhere, otherwise the hire would remain live and they would be financially responsible for costs.
Councillor Ian George said: “Although the Lime bikes do cause problems, it would be a shame to have to lose them altogether. That shouldn’t be necessary, but Kingston Council and the GLA need to get much tougher and threaten Lime with action, if there are to be any real improvements. The current situation is unacceptable.”
If run properly, the Lime bikes could be useful borough-wide, but that is simply not an option until they sort out the long-standing problems they have now.
We have been in contact with Lime, who don’t really care. We will continue to chase Kingston Council for a full response, and will make public the response. We have been promised it soon…
For info: ‘I want them all crushed’: the council poised to ban ‘dangerous’ Lime bikes | Cycling | The Guardian
