Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment proposing a trial of a new approach to managing dockless cycle hire, which would allow operators which meet the selection criteria, including requiring customers to leave bikes in designated areas, to deploy a fixed number of bikes within the Square Mile. The Chairman proposed two amendments to the recommendations, that the approval of criteria for participation in the trial and selection of operators be delegated to the Chief Officer in conjunction with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the relevant Committees, and to make it explicit that only chosen operators would be allowed to deploy bikes within the Square Mile under suspension of the current dockless bikes policy. The Director of the Built Environment then introduced the report and drew the Committee’s attention to the key points within the proposals.

A Member told the Committee that they supported the proposals, which were sensible preparation for the future, as dockless bikes were becoming more common and were popular with the public. A Member added that they felt the pilot was a good idea, but was concerned about suspending the current policy for operators not chosen for the trial, and queried whether the current policy could continue with exceptions granted to operators in the pilot scheme.

A Member said that it was key that the trial was supported with adequate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and asked how this would be accomplished. There was also some concern about the size of the proposed parking bays. A Member asked what the policy would be on moving the bikes during the day, and whether direction to the nearest available parking spaces could be made available, in case there was no space in a bay. It was felt that this should be a key part of the criteria, along with measures for safety and against theft and vandalism.

A Member suggested that the trial be for a minimum of 6 months to give more flexibility, with the aim of developing a well-run service with strong environmental credentials and a clear identity as a City of London scheme. The Museum of London situation had improved in recent weeks. A Member added that they hoped the trial was only the beginning of a sea change which would help to address the aggressive cycling culture that existed within the City of London and redress the balance between pedestrians and cyclists. Members reiterated the need for careful monitoring of the scheme and also that the criteria for success should be clearly set, with a clear sense of what was to be achieved. This would help to inform the Committee’s decision-making later on.

The Director of the Built Environment responded that the recommendations could be changed to retain the current policy for non-trial operators. Monitoring would be undertaken by Enforcement Officers who were already in operation for reporting bikes to operator under the current policy, with further provisions added. Data would also be collected from the operators as part of the scheme, who would also be expected to explain how they planned to manage demand. Key criteria for success would be developed and set before the start of the trial period.

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Transportation Committee:

a)    Approve a six-month trial, with one or more operators, to test the proposed approach to managing dockless cycle hire;

b)    Agree that the approval of the criteria for participation in the trial and the selection of operators be delegated to the Director of the Built Environment, in conjunction with the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Planning & Transportation Committee and the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee;

c)    Retain the current dockless cycle hire policy, but allow exceptions for chosen operators to deploy bikes within the Square Mile during the trial; and

d)    Agree to increase the charge for the recovery of dockless cycle hire bikes removed by the City Corporation from £82.58 to a maximum £235.