TfWM’s cycle hire scheme launched earlier this year. Image: TfWM
Transport for West Midlands has defended its cycle hire scheme, following criticism from a charity which represents blind and visually impaired people.
The West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme launched earlier this year, with approximately 1,000 cycles available for hire in eight locations, including Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and Wolverhampton.
The scheme is designed to offer more people the chance to cycle around the region’s towns and cities.
While Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, says the scheme has ‘hit the ground running’, it has drawn criticism from the National Federation of the Blind UK (NFBUK).
Following a site visit, the charity has expressed ‘serious safety concerns’ over the number of bikes being left unlocked – as a result of what it describes as ‘dodgy docking stations’.
It points to one particular incident where ‘a diligent staff member of the new cycle hire scheme was witnessed attempting four times to get a hire bike securely locked into a wheel clamp’.
The NFBUK has also aired concerns over the location of many of the docks, which are on pedestrian pavement areas, or public spaces where pedestrians have access. The charity says this is unsafe as pedestrians should not be expected to share space with cyclists, and is calling for an immediate pause to the scheme until these issues are resolved.
Image: NFBUK
Sarah Gayton, street access campaigns coordinator, NFBUK, said: “It was clear to everyone something was not right with this hire bike scheme.
“Bikes are constantly being found left next to docking stations, causing obstructions and trip hazards to pedestrians using the pavements.
“Many are found to be knocked over on the pavement next to where they should have been securely locked into position, creating new access barriers and dangerous to people who navigate the streets with no vision, with a visual impairment, people who use a mobility aid or parents with babies in buggies.
“What is shocking is the attitude of the company who tweeted to say these problems would be resolved as people got used to the scheme, when it is clear their own staff failed to secure a hire bike into the wheel clamp of the docking station close to Birmingham Central Station.”
TfWM says its scheme is “tried and tested” – adding that those leaving bikes undocked are a “tiny minority of users”.
To help educate new customers, TfWM has also introduced new ‘how to’ videos, which are available to watch via YouTube.
A TfWM spokesperson said: “West Midlands Cycle Hire has been running in eight locations this spring, including Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, with more than 65,000 rides to date. Those leaving bikes undocked are a tiny minority of users.
“This is a tried and tested scheme which draws on the expertise of operator, Serco, which has successfully run the cycle hire schemes in London and Edinburgh for many years. The scheme offers people a safe and healthy alternative to the car for shorter journeys and is part of our plan for a zero-carbon region.
“Hundreds of cycle hire customers use our docks without problem every day. The very small number of users who do leave bikes out of docking stations receive a fine. We’ve found that following a fine the instances of bad-parking are greatly reduced.”
I totally agree with Sarah Gayton and the NFBUK. Bikes – whether docked or being ridden by cyclists, should never share pavements or any spaces with pedestrians. Cyclists – and now e-scooters, have taken over everywhere – roads (ON THE WRONG SIDE!), pavements, parks shopping malls (and occasionally cycle lanes but they usually fail to use these!). THERE IS NOWHERE LEFT WHERE PEDESTRIANS CAN WALK WITHOUT FEAR.
As an elderly and disabled person I, like may others, am stressed and anxious every time I go out. The detrimental impact of shared spaces cannnot adequately be measured by counting collisions; the repeated trauma of constant near misses and trips causes severely effects our mental health and destroys our confidence.
WE MUST RECLAIM OUR PAVEMENTS FOR PEDESTRIANS.
Christina. Y., Liverpool
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