London transport body takes action as size of e-bike fleets run by companies such as Lime and Forest soar
I’ve long thought that the solution to this sort of crowding is fairly straightforward: park the micromobility devices in car parking spaces. Not only would it be using that designated plot of public property in the most compatible way, it is also a democratic method to assess demand for parking. If more rental scooters and ebikes are using that space more than cars… that’s a cue to re-dedicate the space for that new beneficial use.
The fact that there are complaints from pedestrians about scooters on pavements (aka sidewalks in America) means that that’s not the right space to park them. So let’s find them some proper space, in proportion to public benefit.
Lime already make you upload proof you’re not blocking the path (or cars). So I can’t see the problem tbh…
(That is, unless Lime are not following through and suspending accounts of repeat offenders, which I’ve always suspected is the case. If this forces them to make people park better then that’s great. Companies in start up mode are shit at self restraint)
Lime scooters are always blocking sidewalks around where I work as well as where I live. They do not care about the needs of those using sidewalks. They care only about each scooter being accounted for.
Since they’re clear how you need to leave the bike out the way of others and you need to photo how you’ve parked it in order to end your ride it should be quite clear to them who the offenders are.
I just suspect they haven’t been dishing out any consequences, because why discourage a paying customer. Shitty behaviour, I hope this changes them.
I’ve never seen them put up in a way that does not block sidewalks. It has been a decade or so at this point. I often do long runs quite early and for years I have had to move these to unblock sidewalks. It is only about the scooters as property.
Yet more proof the market doesn’t regulate itself…
