For a while there were Lime bikes abandoned everywhere in the area (particularly on visible locations, which makes me think it was deliberate). Then we saw the introduction of the bike parking zones so these had to be dropped off in specific locations.
Then we saw the arrival of Forest bikes (I think this one should really be our local favourite, for obvious reasons). These were not always left in the designated areas either.
Now it is Voi bikes. I’m seeing them everywhere locally all of a sudden, including this outside the Honor Oak Crematorium (is this a trend for guests to arrive here?)
Does anyone know more about this? I assume they have a new agreement with Lewisham Council to operate in our borough, but what about the parking enforcement?
A load of those Voi e-bikes were dumped at the Horniman Gardens end of London Road just before Sydenham Hill last weekend as well.
I don’t think Voi have an agreement with Lewisham Council for their bikes, unless the new Green administration has also agreed for them to trade in the borough as well?
As of 18 March the Lewisham agreements were with Lime and Forest. There was also a MoU with both to try and tackle parking. I’d think that if there is a new agreement, with Voi , then the same terms would be expected.
I think though the answer to this ‘dumping’ is that both locations mentioned are at the boundary of Southwark, where Voi bikes work and they have an agreement, and Lewisham where they don’t. So I suspect riders arriving at the boundary from Southwark are surprised to find that their bikes no longer work and abandon them there.
2 Likes
