A motion by the Green Party, committing the council to crack down on 'bad parking' and 'misuse' of e-bikes, was passed at Tuesday's (1 October) full council meeting.

The Greens' original motion was amended to remove a point that committed the council to communicating better with residents on its plans to deal with the issues that have been raised by many residents since the introduction of the scheme, especially with regard to parking of the bikes.

Councillor Chas Warlow said: "The bike scheme has been very successful, so we applaud the council's commitment to active forms of travel.

"Unfortunately, poor parking of the bikes obstructs pavements and creates problems for pedestrians, especially those with impaired vision or disabilities, as well as parents pushing prams and buggies.

"We brought this motion in order to push the Liberal Democrat administration of Richmond Council to be more proactive in addressing those problems – and to communicate better with residents on the future strategy.

"Although we're pleased to see a promise of substantive action, we are concerned that our suggestion on transparent communication was rejected."

The amended motion commits the council to holding operators accountable for obstructive parking, improved enforcement and infrastructure, as well as promising to double provision of cycle parking over the next five years. 

Cllr Richard Bennett, who brought the motion, responded to the Liberal Democrats' amendments: "Our original motion demanded better from all operators, including Lime who have an agreement with the Council.

"They are accredited members of CoMoUK, the national organisation for shared transport, and as such have made commitments to ensure bikes aren't allowed to cause an obstruction or become excessively untidy. The Liberal Democrat administration says it will hold Lime to account – but the question is how?"

At the same meeting, Green cllrs proposed a motion that highlighted the serious ecological problems caused by the current lack of proper management of our rivers, particularly the River Thames, and suggested that Council support the Charter for Rivers developed by charity River Action UK and supported by over 70 organisations. 

Cllr Andrée Frieze, leader of the Green Group, proposed the motion. She added: "The way that our rivers are being managed is not working and action needs to be taken: the motion brought by the Green Group highlighted that there is serious pollution and ecological harm happening to our rivers as well as excessive abstraction.

"Thames Water's proposed scheme to take more water from the river at Teddington is another example of this kind of deplorable and unsustainable approach.

"We're pleased the Liberal Democrat administration effectively supported our motion with a few amendments that committed it to taking action."

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