Westport e-bikes ‘left all over the place’

Fixed stands to hold Lime bikes are needed n Westport, according to local councillors.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Brendan Mulroy told last week's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that the e-bikes, which are available to the public, are great but they are being "left all over the place”.

“This is not just a daily complaint I hear, it is nearly hourly, with people reporting they are being left on footpaths, in disabled bays, and come any wind, they are gone.

“The supplier was to keep the bikes safe in a designated area but I am not sure now what a designated area is. This is creating a problem for people and is a health risk, particularly for elderly people. You can cycle and leave a bike outside your house but it should have to be left back at a designated area, failing which, the credit card should keep charging and that would fix the problem. So I am not against them but we need to tighten up the situation.” 

Cllr Peter Flynn said they should pick five or six fixed locations for the bikes and leave it at that, noting that the bikes are very heavy to move.

Cllr John O'Malley said they were a major hindrance to wheelchair users.