Confusion Over Future Of Dockless Bikes In Chiswick

New electric Lime bikes appear as Council says it is reviewing Mobike contract

Mobikes and Lime Bikes near Turnham Green tube station

There is confusion over the future of the Mobike dockless bike sharing scheme in Chiswick. As Hounslow Council admits that it is reviewing the current 12-month trial of the orange Mobikes, a number of electric Lime bikes have appeared in Chiswick.

Hounslow Council admitted last week that the orange Mobikes trial had been a disappointment, and that "the Mobike service to date has not consistently met with aspirations" for a dockless cycle scheme. It promised an immediate review of the scheme before the end of the 12 month trial period which is due to end in February 2019.

However last Friday, reports emerged of bright green Lime e-bikes appearing in near Turnham Green station, alongside a rack of orange Mobikes. They were also spotted in Gunnersbury. We asked both Ealing and Hounslow Councils about this but so far have not received a reply.

Local councillor, John Todd said it was 'breathtaking' that these cycles could be positioned for hire on local streets without anyone having being given prior knowledge. He has emailed lead member of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran to complain. It is not known whether this is an Ealing or Hounslow Council scheme.

The American-based Lime company has targeted several cities and university campuses with its e-scooters and e-bikes and has been eager to enter the UK market.

Last week Cllr Todd had tackled Hounslow Council in response to growing complaints from traders and residents about orange Mobikes being randomly abandoned and causing street clutter and obstruction. Chiswickw4.com also asked Hounslow Council about the viability of the scheme, The Council accepted that dockless bike sharing scheme had not worked out as planned.

Cllr Hanif Khan, Lead Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said, 'the Council is committed to encouraging more trips to be made using healthy and sustainable modes of transport, such as cycling. We do however have concerns that these sorts of operations do need significant oversight from the operator to prevent negative impacts on the street scene and obstruction of the highway.

“The Mobike service to date has not consistently met our aspirations in this regard. In light of these concerns, we will be reviewing the scheme with the operator ahead of the trial end date in February 2019, to see whether further improvements could be made or an alternative model considered"

Ealing Council was the first of the two councils to try the Mobike bike sharing model and Hounslow Council then followed its lead giving Mobikes a 12 month trial in Chiswick and Brentford. The scheme was recently abandoned in the Ealing area with just Acton and the part of Chiswick in Ealing borough retained.

According to critics, the main problem is the idea that dockless bikes can be left at random locations, and they are frequently abandoned outside homes, or across pavements, causing an obstruction for pedestrians, despite the operators urging users to preferably leave them at bike racks or other suitable locations.

Mobike, Chinese based firm, entered the UK market in Manchester earlier in summer and picked Ealing borough to deliver its London service with an initial 750 bikes. To hire the bikes users download the Mobike app (Android , IOS), fill in their personal details, pay the deposit, and are ready to go. The bikes can be unlocked using a QR code.

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A similarly named scheme called Obike was launched in Hammersmith & Fulham by a company from Singapore but caused problems as carelessly abandoned bikes caused obstructions.

Mobike also operates in 150 cities most recently launching in Florence and Milan. The company raised over $1billion last year and was reportedly valued at up to $3billion.

December 7, 2018