Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director Environment which, following Member briefing sessions with two of the operators, proposed further short, medium and long-term actions for improving dockless cycle hire operations in Square Mile.

In the discussion the following main points were made:

·       Although there was no formal timeline for the pan-London joint dockless micromobility contract, procurement was set to start in early summer. It was anticipated that the contract would be in place by late 2025 or during 2026. Officers were continuing to collaborate with TfL and London Councils on this and considered this to be the most effective way to manage dockless cycles in London whilst awaiting additional primary legislation from central government.

·       Officers had held several meetings with operators who were willing to implement some of the actions.

·       Officers were looking to introduce additional spaces and improve reporting and data collection to understand and challenge operators on levels of compliance.

·       A Member stated that working with operators to review their approach to warning, fining and banning users was a key action. An Officer agreed but stated that to compel operators to increase fines and fine more regularly would require better regulation.

·       The Chairman suggested that testing could take place to identify and record bicycles parked inappropriately using their serial numbers and then checking this against the operators’ records. An Officer stated that there could be resource implications. Officers were working informally with operators to ask them to share compliance data.

·       Members suggested that the existing CCTV could be used to aid with data collection. It was also suggested that parking enforcement officers could be used to take and send photographs of bicycles parked inappropriately. An Officer stated that currently street operators had reported thousands of inappropriately parked bicycles since they had begun in 2018.

·       An Officer stated that there could be an intensive approach to collecting data over a period of a week, which would have less impact on resources. He added that Officers were looking at creative ways to mitigate issues such as using technology and making it easier for people to report inappropriately parked bicycles.

·       It was suggested that a campaign week, when good cycling behaviour was promoted, could be used to take a sample e.g. 10 inappropriately parked bicycles and track what happened to them.

·       Officers had met with TfL and London Councils to discuss the implementation of new actions and to address discrepancies between the operators.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Sub Committee

1.        Agree the short-term actions laid out in paragraph 23 of the Officer report, which sought to:

·       Implement a City-wide no-parking zone outside of approved parking areas;

·       Establish rapid response areas; and

·       Enhance warning, fining and banning procedures

2.        Note the other actions laid out in paragraphs 23-27 of the Officer report.

3.        Request Officers update all Members.