Voi signs SLC E-bike Charter

Blind and partially sighted Sight Loss Council (SLC) members from London SLCs have secured Voi as the third e-bike operator to sign its E-Bike Charter.

By signing the charter, the Swedish e-bike and e-scooter operator has committed to six key principles to support the safety of blind and partially sighted (BPS) pedestrians.

The development of the charter was led by London Sight Loss Councils in response to growing concerns around e-bikes cluttering pavements and streets.

Voi vehicles are available in 17 towns and cities across the UK. They are a key player, responsible for around two-in-every-three official e-scooter rides in England.

The operator’s signature coincides with its launch of a ‘responsible e-bike pilot’ in London.

Working with the London Borough of Ealing, designated parking areas are being marked out to minimise pavement clutter and the risks it poses for BPS people. Data from the pilot will be shared more openly with the boroughs and Transport for London (TfL).

“I’m delighted that Voi have become a signatory to the E-bike Charter, and are working with London SLCs to ensure e-bike use does not compromise the safety and accessibility of the capital’s walkways for blind and partially sighted people,” said Haren Thillainathan, Southwest London SLC member. 

“I’m particularly impressed with Voi’s commitment to operating a mandatory parking policy in Ealing - requiring all their bikes to be left only in designated off-pavement bays.”

The Sight Loss Council’s E-Bike Charter includes six key principles for operators, local authorities and governing bodies to adhere to:

·       Provide parking bays and racks where users should park e-bikes. These should usually be on the carriageway to avoid obstructing pedestrians. By exception, parking may be on the pavement but must be safe and segregated. Where parking is not provided nearby, users should park e-bikes safely and securely.

·       Put in place a Reporting and Monitoring framework of e-bike providers’ performance and make non-commercially sensitive results publicly available. This should include robust targets for speedy retrieval of abandoned or poorly parked e-bikes, or those not parked in designated bays.

·       Provide one universally accessible way BPS people and other digitally excluded residents can report e-bike incidents.

·       Commit to ensuring reasonable maximum weight and speed restrictions of rental e-bikes. Work towards implementing common restrictions as quickly as possible.

·       Work towards ensuring all rental e-bikes are fitted with some form of audible alert equipment. For example, a horn or bell that can be operated by riders to warn pedestrians.

·       Work together to minimise incidents of rental e-bikes used in pavement riding, including through trialling available technology and advocating for robust police enforcement.

To find out more visit https://www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/

Pictured: Correctly parking a Voi e-bike using the app