Council requires street trading licence for dockless bike share

BIKE HIRE

The London Borough of Brent is to use a street trading licence to influence the operation of a dockless bike hire scheme. 

Many councils have voiced frustration at the lack of powers they can exert over dockless bike schemes. Until now, the only power used has been the Highways Act 1980, under which councils can remove bicycles causing an obstruction. 

But Rachel Best, Brent’s transportation planning manager, told councillors a street trading licence, using powers in the London Local Authorities Act 1990, would enable the council “to intervene and take a stepped approach to managing and resolving any undesirable working that affects the highway network, with the final recourse being withdrawal of the licence”.  

The council will also use the Highways Act 1980 powers. 

Brent has been approached by three dockless bike hire operators who are interested in launching a scheme – Ofo, Mobike and Urbo. 

The council plans to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one operator, with a scheme  operating on a pilot basis for one year. The operator will have to comply with Transport for London’s code of practice for dockless bike share schemes.

The council is currently working out how to select an operator. “Other operators will be able to launch in the borough, but would need to apply for and be granted a licence in order to operate,” said a spokeswoman. 

Brent will work with the selected operator to identify locations where bikes can and cannot be left. They will not be allowed to be left in the vicinity of Wembley Stadium on event days.