UK shared transport charity CoMoUK has called for further dialogue between Westminster City Council and London’s e-bike operators, following the removal of bikes from the streets in central London.
CoMoUK said operators are fully committed to working with Westminster to find a solution and believes a combination of designated and carriage way e-bike parking, funded by e-bike operators, would help solve current vehicle clustering issues in Westminster and further encourage local cycling uptake.
Dockless e-bike solutions are being utilised in several nearby boroughs to contribute to active travel and decarbonisation targets. The destination of many of these trips are reportedly popular locations in Westminster.
According to CoMoUK, bike share schemes across the UK have reduced car mileage for each user by an estimated 3.7 miles or 1kg of CO2 weekly.
What’s more, a recent report by CoMoUK found that 34% of those using e-bikes said they were replacing car or taxi trips of more than five miles per week.
Antonia Roberts, deputy chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “Westminster has some of the worst air quality in the entire country, and shared e-bikes are a vital part of the solution to delivering the council’s Climate Action Plan.
“Bike share is a catalyst to re-engaging with cycling – supporting health and wellbeing, triggering sustainable travel behaviours, cutting car miles, and working alongside bike ownership”
“There is a firm willingness by operators to go to extra lengths to implement a scheme that works for all parties in Westminster, and they would welcome the opportunity to reach a solution with the council.”
CoMoUK is working with Transport for London, London Councils, boroughs and operators to agree “clear ways of working” for bike share across London.
