E-bike company Lime has apologised to a blind couple after an app glitch led to bikes being left to block pavements in south-east London.
The BBC reported that Jessica and Jason Beal, who live in Penge, said an influx of e-bikes left on footpaths created dangerous hazards.
Describing a recent encounter on his route, Jason said an abandoned bike forced him to go into the busy main road with his guide dog.
The BBC said Bromley Council does not permit Lime to operate in the borough. However, a now-fixed issue with Lime’s app mistakenly enabled users to start and end rentals in Penge, which borders the neighbouring borough of Lewisham where the service is authorised.
Jessica said: “We really think bikes is a great way to get around, especially in London. It’s just for people to be much more mindful of where they’re leaving them and the speed they’re riding them.”
Lime confirmed to the BBC it had updated its geofencing technology to block rentals and parking across the Penge boundary.
A spokesperson for Lime said they were sorry about the issues caused for the couple: “We acted fast to remove any bikes in Penge when alerted, and have tightened our geofencing to avoid this becoming a regular occurrence.”
Bromley Council welcomed the correction to the app but warned it would take tough action if the problem recurred.
Simon Fawthrop, executive member for transport and highways, said the council had long-held misgivings about bikes that are “strewn across pavements causing multiple hazards”.
Mike Wordingham, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), said the incident highlighted a broader issue for disabled pedestrians in London.
He said research by the sight loss charity found 81% of blind and partially-sighted respondents said bikes and e-scooters left on pavements made their journeys harder, and 11% said the issue stopped them going out altogether.