Cyclists who leave rented e-bikes on the street face fines

CYCLISTS in central London who leave rented e-bikes on the street are set to be fined by rental companies.

Westminster city council has outlined plans to set up docking stations across the borough in the next few months, with e-bike rental companies issuing users with penalties if they do not use them.

Those that fail to park within the new docking bays could be hit by fines of up to £20, and will continue to be charged until they are correctly parked.

The change in approach has come after the council found an increasing problem with rental bikes being left in the middle of pavements and on roads.

This has caused particular issues for those with mobility challenges and those that are visually impaired.

‘Bikes need to be parked in the right place and in a way that doesn’t create hazards for pedestrians’

Last year, the National Federation of Blind of the UK (NFBUK) told the BBC that dumped bikes were putting people off visiting the West End.

The plans, which have yet to be finalised, will lead to docking stations being installed in car parking spots across the borough. Dott, one of Westminster’s providers, said it fully supported the roll-out of parking bays and would be fining riders £15 if they failed to park in the bays, which could increase further for repeat offenders.

Lime has indicated that its fining system would mirror what it uses in other boroughs, with an initial warning, before rises from £2 to £20.

Paul Dimoldenberg, cabinet member for City Management and Air Quality, said: “We are very supportive of more people travelling in Westminster by bicycle. But bikes need to be parked in the right place, and in a way that doesn’t create hazards for pedestrians.”