E-bike company Lime has apologised to a blind couple after an app glitch resulted in bikes being left on pavements in south-east London. Jessica and Jason Beal, who live in Penge, stated that an influx of e-bikes on footpaths created dangerous hazards.
Jason Beal described an incident where an abandoned bike forced him and his guide dog into a busy main road. Bromley Council does not permit Lime to operate in the borough, but a now-fixed issue with Lime's app mistakenly enabled users to start and end rentals in Penge, which borders Lewisham where the service is authorised.
Lime confirmed it has updated its geofencing technology to block rentals and parking across the Penge boundary. A spokesperson for Lime said they were sorry for the issues caused and had tightened their geofencing to prevent recurrence.
Bromley Council welcomed the app correction but warned it would take action to remove Lime bikes and charge the company if the problem recurred. Simon Fawthrop, executive member for transport and highways, stated the council has long-held misgivings about bikes "strewn across pavements causing multiple hazards."
Mike Wordingham from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said the incident highlights a broader issue for disabled pedestrians in London. RNIB research found 81% of blind and partially-sighted respondents said bikes and e-scooters on pavements made journeys harder, with 11% stating it stopped them going out altogether.
Liam Conlon, the MP for Beckenham and Penge, called for proper contracts to ensure e-bike firms behave responsibly, along with more designated parking zones and time limits for firms to remove nuisance e-bikes and scooters.