At a meeting late last month, Waverley Council unanimously agreed to take action to improve the handling of electric share bikes by operators, following an increase in complaints about inconsiderately dumped bikes.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said that “share bikes provide a useful and green way to get around. For many people, it means not having to get around in a car and reducing the number of vehicles on our roads is a clear priority for Waverley Council.”
“However, we have seen an increase in these share bikes being parked in places where they form blockages – for example on narrow footpaths. We have seen bikes blocking access for pedestrians, as well as those using wheelchairs or prams.”
With an apparent increase in the number of bikes in the Waverley area, the Mayor says this problem has become more acute. “The operators don’t seem to be collecting and moving bikes parked in dangerous or blocked areas fast enough. We’ve seen a five-fold increase in the number of complaints received, and it’s clear our community expects better from operators.”
Waverley Councillors unanimously resolved to take the below action:
- Council officers to liaise with e-bike operators to negotiate more considerate and appropriate locations for the placement and faster collection of used bikes.
- Council officers to investigate relevant legislation and gaps that may assist Council in removing e-bikes that are creating a hazard or littering the public domain.
- Council officers to prepare a report to Council outlining outcomes of any negotiations and legislative options.
- Refer this resolution to Council’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel for consideration.
“As a Council, we are committed to improving cycling infrastructure, and much good work has already been done, with the completion of the Bondi Junction cycleway. In recent years we have sought community feedback on community expectations for cycling infrastructure, which we are listening to when planning future projects,” said the Mayor.
“We want share bike operators to listen to the needs of our community, and responsible management of bike fleets is key to success. We will make this clear in our discussions with operators.”
