Issue - meetings

To consider any petitions for which notice has been received in accordance with Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that the following petition is due to be presented at the meeting:

Keep Pavements free of clutter- including dockless bikes

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Mr Rehan Khan (as lead petitioner) in support of a petition containing 174 signatures requesting that the Council take action to ensure its pavements were kept free of clutter, including dockless bikes in order to ensure pedestrian safety.  In introducing the petition, Mr Khan highlighted the major concern for residents in relation to the management of dockless e-bikes, specifically those operated by Lime, which he pointed out were cluttering pavements and creating obstructions, particularly for wheelchair users, children in pushchairs, the blind or partially blind residents.  In terms of actions to address these concerns the petitioners felt that limiting the number of dockless e-bikes in the borough would not solve the issue and that there was a need for better management and control in relation to their operation and authorised use.  Referring to research on bike use in other European countries, Mr Khan highlighted that over 60% of residents in Copenhagen, Denmark used bikes as a mode of transportation with very low reports of them causing a nuisance or danger to pedestrians through cluttering the pavements.  In referring to a petition he had submitted a number of years previously, Mr Khan highlighted the positive measures introduced as a result to improve pavements along Salmon Street but with the progress made now being impacted by the nuisance of dockless e-bikes being abandoned or improperly parked in the area with concern also expressed at any potential costs associated with personal injury or insurance claims relating to any hazards created as a result.  In summing up, Mr Khan hoped the Council would be able to use its influence to ensure enhanced measures were introduced to control and manage dockless e-bikes given the concerns highlighted in an aim to ensure that pavements were free of clutter across the borough.

As a supporter of the petition, Councillor Long was also invited to address Cabinet who felt it important to note that in addition to dockless bikes the petition was also focussed around the need to keep pavements free from all clutter.  Whilst recognising the work undertaken with Lime as the dockless e-bike operator in Brent, she highlighted the issue also being created by other providers operating in the borough, such as Human Forest, which involved similar issues being experienced and was keen to ensure these concerns were also addressed as part of the Council’s wider response. Highlighting further concerns with regard to the technology supporting the operation of dockless e-bike schemes Councillor Long felt that the issues identified could not be resolved until this was also addressed preventing bikes from being hacked.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement) thanked Mr Khan and Councillor Long for attending Cabinet in order to ensure the views of those supporting the petition were presented. She highlighted that the Council shared the petitioners’ commitment to keeping pavements safe, uncluttered and accessible for everyone, especially pedestrians with the Council seeking to actively hold Lime to rigorous account through a  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

5.1     Keeping Brent’s Streets clear from clutter

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Mr Rehan Khan to the meeting, who had been invited to speak in support of a petition containing 174 signatures requesting the Council take action to ensure its pavements were kept free of clutter, including dockless bikes in order to ensure pedestrian safety.  In thanking the Leader of the Council for the opportunity to present the petition, Mr Khan began by highlighting the major concern for residents in relation to the management of dockless e-bikes across the borough, specifically those operated by Lime, which he pointed out were cluttering pavements and creating obstructions, particularly for wheelchair users, children in pushchairs and the blind or partially sighted residents.  In terms of actions to address these concerns, the petitioners felt that limiting the number of dockless e-bikes in the borough would not solve the issue and that there was a need for better management and control in relation to their operation and authorised use.  Referring to research on bike use in other European countries, Mr Khan highlighted that over 60% of residents in Copenhagen used bikes as a mode of transportation with very low reports of them creating clutter or causing a nuisance or danger to pedestrians.  In referring to a petition he had submitted a number of years previously, Mr Khan highlighted the positive measures which had been introduced to improve pavements along Salmon Street on which the progress made was now at risk as a result of the nuisance being created by dockless e-bikes being abandoned or improperly parked in the area and with concern also expressed at any potential costs associated with personal injury or insurance claims relating to any hazards created as a result.  In summing up, Mr Khan hoped the Council would be able to use its influence to secure enhanced measures were introduced to control and manage dockless e-bikes given the concerns highlighted in an aim to ensure that pavements were free of clutter across the borough.

As a supporter of the petition, Councillor Long was also invited to address Cabinet who felt it important to note that in addition to dockless bikes the petition was also focussed on the need to keep pavements free from other general clutter.  Whilst recognising the work undertaken with Lime as the dockless e-bike operator in Brent, she highlighted the issue also being created by other providers operating in the borough, such as Human Forest, which involved similar issues being experienced and was keen to ensure these concerns were also addressed as part of the Council’s wider response. Highlighting further concerns with regard to the technology supporting the operation of dockless e-bikes, Councillor Long felt that the issues identified could not be resolved until this was also addressed preventing bikes from being hacked.

In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement) thanked Mr Khan and Councillor Long for attending Cabinet in order to ensure the views of those supporting the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5