Waltham Forest's opposition Conservatives say they do not oppose dockless e-bikes coming to the borough, but have warned that a scheme introduced without strong rules and enforcement could cause "significant problems" from day one.
The Green-led administration launched a public consultation last month on allowing operators such as Lime and Forest to run hire bikes locally, responding to public demand for the option. Dockless e-bikes already account for around 150,000 trips a day across the capital.
Councillor Emma Best, leader of the local Conservative group, wrote to council leader Councillor Paul Perkins this week setting out eleven "firm red lines" she wants the council to adopt before any scheme begins.
"A properly managed scheme may provide benefits, but those benefits cannot come at the expense of pedestrian safety, accessibility or existing residents," she wrote.
"Other London boroughs have already learned some difficult lessons about what happens when the number of bikes, parking capacity and enforcement arrangements are not properly aligned. Waltham Forest has the opportunity to learn from that experience rather than repeat it."
Her conditions centre on where the bikes end up. Bikes "must only be parked in properly marked designated bays", she said, and those bays "must not obstruct pedestrians or disabled people" nor be created at the expense of existing car parking. She added that it was "particularly important that disabled residents are involved at the design stage rather than simply being consulted after a scheme has been developed".
The recommendations also include "meaningful penalties" for "irresponsible" cyclists and fitting hire e-bikes with registration plates to identify "rogue" riders. "The operator, not the taxpayer, should meet the costs created by the scheme," Cllr Best added.
Cllr Perkins has said the town hall "will not rush into any decision". He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "In line with our manifesto commitments, we are carefully examining proposals to introduce a dockless bike hire scheme in Waltham Forest.
"We are listening to what residents have to say to get a clear picture of their views and needs, so that any scheme can be introduced appropriately and is effectively managed.
"We will not rush into any decision. We will thoroughly consider the feedback we receive from residents and businesses and ensure we take on board lessons and best practice from those other boroughs who have successfully introduced similar schemes."
Council figures put the borough's existing cycling infrastructure at almost 60 kilometres of cycle lanes and more than 1,000 bike hangars.
The public survey closes on Sunday 8th November. No decisions have yet been made on which operators might be used, how many e-bikes would be allowed, or when a scheme would start.
