Our work with e-bike operators to increase street safety
As part of Low Vision Awareness Month, Sight Loss Councils (SLCs) have worked with e-bike operator Lime to refresh and relaunch an in-app message to increase street safety. SLCs have also worked with them to send an e-shot to all registered users highlighting parking etiquette.
This message reminds Lime’s users to park considerately, and avoid obstructing the pavements for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people.
South West London SLC member Haren standing next to three Lime bikes parked on a pavement with his guide dog
Riders are also encouraged to press an in-app button committing to safe parking for the whole community and shown examples of inappropriate parking in the e-shot.
The lack of regulation around shared e-scooters and e-bikes has resulted in major issues impacting on blind and partially sighted (BPS) people’s confidence to navigate our streets independently and safely, to live their lives.
E-scooters and e-bikes are being left abandoned at the top of staircases, outside shop doorways and in the middle of pavements. This puts BPS people at risk of collisions, trips, and falls.
BPS people are also reporting anxieties around not knowing the location of e-scooters travelling around them at high speed because they emit no sound, until it is too late.
This video shows SLC member Leanne highlighting the dangers of abandoned e-bikes and inappropriate parking. It also illustrates what appropriate parking looks like.
Our work to improve street safety
The move to refresh the in-app message follows the launch of the SLC e-bike charter in 2024, of which Lime was the first signatory. This charter calls for organisations to commit to six key principles to ensure the safety of BPS pedestrians. We are announcing new signatories soon.
Haren Thillainathan, South West London SLC volunteer, said:
“It’s great Lime are collaborating once again with London Sight Loss Councils during Low Vision Awareness Month to promote vision awareness through in-app messaging.
“With the growing popularity of Lime bikes, many new riders – one year on from the last campaign – will now be more mindful of the impact that parking e-bikes can have on blind and partially sighted pedestrians.”
Senior Engagement Manager, Nicki Guy, adds:
“Accessible streets remain a key priority for Sight Loss Councils. As part of our Listening Month campaign with Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), seventy-five per cent of BPS people fed back that street safety was the thing that mattered to them the most.
“We will continue our work with operators to promote considerate parking and highlight the negative impact abandoned bikes and e-scooters have on the BPS community. We are also securing new operators and local authorities to sign up to our e-bike charter, with our latest partner to be announced soon.”
Charlotte Wilkie, Rider Operations Associate at Lime, finalised by saying:
“We are proud to be continuing our existing partnership with SLC, building upon the important work already done implementing this charter as the first signatory. For Low Vision Awareness Month, our ongoing collaboration is focused on continuing to educate our riders on the importance of parking responsibly. We look forward to working together with SLC to keep our streets tidy and improve the experience of our service for those with access needs.”
Row of three Lime bikes parked on a pavement
Learn more about our e-bike charter:
Access our e-bike charter here
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Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
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Publication date: 17 February 2025