Dockless electric-assisted bikes will soon be available to hire in the borough following an agreement between the council and Lime for a 12 month trial.
Following successful launches in Milton Keynes, Brent, Ealing and Islington, and close discussion with the council, Lime e-bikes will soon be distributed to key locations in the borough such as stations and town centres where they can be unlocked by using a smartphone app.
Due to the need for battery replenishment, bikes will be attended to on average every three days, and relocated when required. Lime have also agreed that any bikes causing an obstruction will be removed within two hours of reporting. A contact number and email address will be imprinted on each bike.
Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, Executive Councillor for Environment and Community Services, said: “This is yet another example of where technology is giving additional choice to the way we will soon be able to travel. It is a welcome addition to the travel options available to residents and visitors to the borough. Battery powered bikes are easy to use and have proved to be popular elsewhere and could help facilitate more people to take-up cycling too. We are grateful for Lime’s professionalism in working closely with the council before launching their scheme, which will ultimately provide flexible, healthy and emission free travel options for those who live, work and travel in and around the borough, without requiring any investment from the council.”
Jaanaki Momaya, General Manager for Lime UK, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Bromley Council to bring our dockless e-bikes to another London borough. Thousands of londoners already regularly use our e-bikes to make zero-emission journeys in the capital – helping to improve air quality and tackle congestion. We look forward to serving the people of Bromley in the next few weeks.”
The bikes are expected to be available from mid-May onwards with further information to be provided nearer the time.