Share your views on e-bikes in Richmond upon Thames (deadline Friday 20th June)

Richmond council wants to hear your views on e-bikes to help inform their future approach to hire schemes in the borough.

We know from the recent Hampton Wick Association Opinion Survey that electric hire bikes are a contentious issue here in Hampton Wick. Issues include e-bikes frequently being left by hirers in inappropriate places, blocking pavements etc. At the same time there are issues over the hire company leaving ‘blocks’ of excessive numbers of the bikes (10 or more on occasions) in ill-thought through locations.

On the other hand, electric bikes are a cleaner method of transport than non-electric vehicles and take up less space on the road. They also offer a form of exercise.

Opinions are split and the council would like to hear your views (by Friday 20th June latest) ahead of a meeting where councillors and highways officers will meet with providers to share the feedback and ask various questions – this will be on the 24th June and will be able to view online. Then in the autumn the transport committee will be considering policy options in relation to this whole topic.

To share your views, thoughts and suggestions, please send your email to e-bikes@richmond.gov.uk before Friday 20 June.