Petition calls for reversal of Richmond’s Lime e-bike ban
Over 1,500 residents signed a petition calling for Richmond Council to reverse its decision to ban Lime e-bikes from being parked or hired in the borough. Resident Esther Van De Pette who launched the petition has said that the removal of Lime from Richmond would reduce transportation options for residents and visitors and make it harder to use e-bikes in the borough.
It would impact areas such as Barnes, it said, with have less frequent public transport services than in other parts of London, and, with the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to vehicles in 2019, more congested roads.
“As well as disrupting established travel patterns, including school journeys, it risks negative impacts on local businesses and visitor access,” the petition said. “The justification for the decision relies on benefits that could be achieved without exclusivity and appears to prioritise limited financial gain over public utility. I implore the council to rethink this decision and consider a model that accommodates multiple e-bike providers, which will ensure that all residents of the borough, especially those in underserved areas like SW13, have access to effective and reliable transport options.”
Richmond’s transport committee agreed to award exclusive operating rights for e-bike services to Forest on 16th March. This meant that Lime bikes cannot be hired or parked in the borough when it comes into effect this summer. It has not been confirmed whether the bikes will stop working when they enter Richmond once it comes into force.
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