Furious locals have told how a dockless e-bike parking bay in one of London‘s most exclusive areas is causing chaos as ‘careless’ riders dump their bicycles in the middle of the road.
The bay in Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair, has been a ‘nuisance’ ever since its installation in June as an army of bikes regularly pile up and block the entrance to a busy cul-de-sac and car park.
Angry locals claim it is ‘only a matter of time’ before someone is seriously injured as drivers can’t see past the mountain of bikes and pavements are often blocked.
They claim they have repeatedly asked Westminster Council to remove the bay or box it in, but the area remains overrun on a daily basis.
Local Fiona Mackay told MailOnline: ‘It is only a matter of time before a pedestrian or other user of this corner is seriously injured or worse.
‘This area is very busy in the evening as well as during the day and filled with tourists of all descriptions. In addition, we have a large number of elderly in the area who have mobility issues. Anyone with sight problems will be in serious trouble trying to use this crossing.’
Ms Mackay added that despite nearby residents making it very clear the bay is a safety hazard at the start of a ‘trial’ period, the area continues to be used by cyclists.
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The e-bike parking bay in Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair, has been a ‘nuisance’ ever since its installation in June, locals claim
A pile of e-bikes which have fallen on their side at the dockless parking bay in London
Locals say they have repeatedly asked Westminster Council to remove the bay or box it in, but the area remains overrun on a daily basis
One local said it is ‘only a matter of time’ before someone is seriously injured as drivers can’t see past the mountain of bikes
‘Locals made it very plain at the beginning of a trial period that safety was compromised by placing a dockless parking bay on the corner of Chesterfield Gardens and Curzon Street,’ she said.
‘E-bikes are the future for transport in London but the safe siting of parking bays for them is imperative.’
The bikes are said to block access to Leconfield House’s garage, as well as restrict access to Chesterfield Gardens, which leads to a busy underground car park.
Annika Blixt, General Manager of Chesterfield House, told MailOnline the situation has become ‘intolerable’ as ‘careless’ e-bike riders will dump their bicycles down on the street without thinking of the safety hazards.
‘Residents, when driving out of Chesterfield Gardens onto Curzon Street often have reduced visibility due to the E-bikes being thrown down, sometimes in the middle of the street and pedestrians often cannot walk on the pavement due to the same issue,’ she said.
‘This situation has become intolerable due to the careless behaviour of E-bike users, who are able to drop off bikes in the proximity of the dockless bay, but not within it.
‘We have repeatedly asked Westminster Council to remove the bay and even had a meeting with a representative of the council in June about this.
The bikes are said to block access to Leconfield House’s garage, as well as restrict access to Chesterfield Gardens, which leads to a busy underground car park
Another local told MailOnline the situation has become ‘intolerable’ as ‘careless’ e-bike riders will dump their bicycles down on the street
It is just one of the e-bike parking bays in the capital said to be causing chaos
‘Why someone thought that this space was a good location for a dockless bay when this is right at the entrance of a cul-de-sac which leads to an underground car park which is in constant use, eludes me.’
MailOnline has contacted Westminster Council for comment.
It comes days after the star of Jesus of Nazareth spoke out about his four-year battle with the council over e-bikes piling up outside his front door.
Robert Powell, 81, revealed he ‘sent 570 photographs’ to Camden Council showing the bikes taking over his doorstep.
The Bafta-nominated actor urged the council to take action, saying he and his wife, Barbara Lord, once counted at least 100 bikes in a parking bay in front of their Highgate home.
Camden Council responded by saying it is working to relocate the bay and has marked out a new bay further up the road.
A council spokesman told the Telegraph: ‘We’ve been in touch with Mr Powell and Mrs Lord and assured them that we’re using our powers to relocate this bay while we work to secure a new permanent location.
‘While we’re committed to promoting active travel options like cycling, we also understand how inappropriate parking of electric bikes can block access for residents.
‘As part of our new approach, our team have been busy enforcing the removal of obstructive bikes – without notice – as part of their regular inspections.’
