Internet bikes are cluttering sidewalks

Recently, as a retired grandfather trying to stay “fit,” I did my usual walk around downtown Victoria. During that walk, I passed 15 greenish-painted commercial bicycles that were left on public property waiting for internet customers who would rent them by receiving a cellphone-activated code to unlock a bicycle.

Twelve of these rental bicycles were left standing on the sidewalk in various locations along my route; pedestrians had to walk around them. Three of the bicycles were left standing in a group in the landscaped garden parkade at the corner of Johnson and Wharf streets.

I suspect that there are many more of these “abandoned” commercial bicycles spread around the city. They have been left on sidewalks, in public gardens, on public grass areas and in other nuisance locations as they wait for rental customers. At the least, they should be in designated bicycle parking spaces or in the bicycle lane, not left as a hazard in the pedestrian walkways.

These “abandoned” bicycles represent a new style of commercial business that offers no significant employment. They use public land; they are a hazard for pedestrians; and their business likely pays no licensing fee and or rental fee for the use of public space.

If not quickly regulated or stopped, they will become a major problem and serious safety hazard when the busy tourist season fills downtown streets with visitors. David Hicks Victoria