Image: Westminster Council
Westminster City Council is calling for stronger penalties for those who abandon dockless bikes, amid concerns the existing charges are failing to act as a deterrent.
Penalty fines vary between different operators. For example, Lime charges users £2 for a second offence, whereas Human Forest charges users up to £15 for a second parking offence.
Westminster Council says these charges are “doing little to stop people dumping these bikes all over the streets of central London”.
The council is currently working with operators to identify sites for designated parking bays in the borough.
However, it says the success of these sites depends on riders parking their bikes in the bays. Failure to do so is creating a “safety hazard for pedestrians”.
To ensure they do, Westminster would like to see a ‘fine structure’ implemented to ensure all companies are charging the same penalties.
Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, cabinet member for city management and air quality, said: “A warning and a £2 fine are doing little to stop people dumping these bikes all over the streets of central London.
“We are seeing thousands of dockless bikes left in Westminster every day and many of them are blocking pavements and roads. This is a safety hazard for pedestrians, especially for those with mobility needs such as those with limited eyesight.
“If we see bikes parked dangerously the council will confiscate them. But the dockless bike companies need to do more and handing out harsher penalties to irresponsible users is a good place to start.”
In August 2022, Westminster City Council took a stand against “nuisance” dockless bikes by seizing those left dumped across its roads and pavements.
23 February 2023