Brent Council has issued a notice to Lime, the operator of dockless e-bikes in the borough, stating the bikes will be removed by 31 October if the company continues to disregard the council’s safety concerns and suggested improvements to the scheme.
Since partnering with Lime in 2019, Brent has hosted 750 e-bikes as part of its commitment to promoting sustainable and active travel while reducing pollution.
However, while the partnership aligns with the council’s environmental goals, significant safety concerns have arisen—concerns that Lime has not yet addressed to the council’s satisfaction.
A major issue revolves around the increasing number of incidents involving e-bikes being inconsiderately parked or abandoned, causing disruptions for other road users, especially pedestrians and disabled people.
The council say they have been inundated with daily reports of such issues, and Lime’s slow response time in dealing with these complaints has further exacerbated the problem.
Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, expressed his frustration, stating, “Unless Lime changes the way it works with us, we are out of road for its activities in Brent.”
He added, “Lime bikes left scattered across our streets are causing havoc for other road users, especially for pedestrians and disabled people. Residents have gone sour on Lime, and the council is receiving repeated, regular complaints about the bikes left across paths and roads in a haphazard way.
“This is putting unsustainable pressure on council staff who are spending time cleaning up after Lime. Something needs to change as the current situation is unsustainable and leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.”
Brent Council has proposed several changes aimed at ensuring the safe and efficient operation of Lime’s e-bike scheme within the borough.
These include the introduction of dedicated e-bike parking bays in high-traffic areas, the implementation of a ‘no parking zone’ in all other areas with strict removal protocols, and the allocation of dedicated local resources to manage the day-to-day operations of the scheme.
The council has also requested that Lime increase penalties for users who park e-bikes irresponsibly and has urged the company to contribute to the local community through training, employment opportunities, and community engagement events.
Despite these proposals, the council remains dissatisfied with Lime’s response so far. Councillor Butt reiterated the council’s position, saying, “To date, Lime has not satisfied our proposals, which we consider vital to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the scheme in Brent. Unless Lime changes the way it works with us, we are out of road for its activities in Brent.”
Brent Council is currently awaiting a response from Lime to its latest letter outlining these requests. In the meantime, the council has issued a formal notice to Lime, requiring the removal of all e-bikes from the borough by 31 October 2024 if the company fails to comply.
“It’s high time Lime takes responsibility for its service and users,” Councillor Butt said.
“We want Lime to take ours and residents’ concerns seriously and amend its operating model to account for the common-sense asks we have made.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
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