Lime has pledged to ensure their e-bikes park safely in Westminster and do not obstruct pedestrians, following a high-level meeting between Lime Global Chief Executive Wayne Ting and Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality.

Among Lime’s actions following the meeting are:

• The installation of bluetooth beacons to improve geofencing to prevent riders from being able to park bikes outside of bays.  Lime will work with Council officers to identify suitable sites and install the devices as soon as possible. Lime will also provide regular data on their impact and install further devices as needed.
• Staffing high priority e-bike parking locations at peak hours.  The Lime staff will wear Lime-branded high visibility clothing and be responsible for collecting surplus bikes from riders and parking them at nearby less busy locations.
• Lime will look at opportunities of working in partnership with private landowners to provide space for e-bike parking to reduce pressure on Westminster’s kerbside space.
• Lime is working on a campaign for next year aimed at promoting responsible rider behaviour, including always stopping at red lights.
• The £10 fines collected by Lime from riders who park badly will be made available for education campaigns on e-bike parking and riding behaviour, as well as to other causes.

The Council is also continuing its call to Government to introduce legislation to enable the Council to control e-bike parking in the same way that it controls car parking so that it can issue fines for poor parking behaviour.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, said:

“The growth in e-bike usage has grown hugely over the past year and it is vital that Lime and the other e-bike companies improve their day-to-day management of their bikes so that their riders do not obstruct the pavement or park outside the over 360 e-bike parking bays we have designated across Westminster.”

“Meeting the Lime Global Chief Executive enabled us to be very clear and direct on what improvements are needed as a matter of urgency. We hope that the steps outlined by Lime are effective in improving rider behaviour and e-bike parking, as well as keeping our pavements safe for pedestrians.”