'You're on your last warning!' London borough threatens Lime and Forest over abandoned e-bikes

"Lime and Forest e-bikes could be banned from a London borough after the local council said the firms were on their last warning. Islington Council told the popular bike rental companies to clean up their act and resolve persistent problems such as bikes blocking pavements, nighttime noise, riders running red lights and overflowing parking bays. These problems are undermining the benefits of having rental electric bikes in the borough, the council said."

"In an open letter sent to the cycling companies, the leader, alongside executive member Rowena Champion, said: Hire bike operators must take action to address dangerous, unsafe parking and poor rider behaviour. Lime said it was working alongside the council on practical steps to minimise disruption for residents while Forest said it too was working with the local authority and takes the issues seriously. But leader of Islington Council, Una O'Halloran, said the companies were on their last warning."

Islington Council has given Lime and Forest e-bike operators a final warning to address persistent problems including bikes blocking pavements, nighttime noise, riders running red lights and overflowing parking bays. The council has removed more than 200 dangerously placed bikes under the Highways Act. Council leaders demanded measures such as stopping pickups and drop-offs between 11pm and 6am where complaints exist, parking restrictions, access to bike data including numbers in the borough, and bans on use within housing estates. Lime and Forest said they are working with the council on practical steps, while Hounslow remains the only London borough to ban Lime.

Read at www.standard.co.uk