I don’t think the program is going anywhere. In early spring agreements were made with 15 communities in greater Boston area bringing Limebike a to pretty much every bordering city as well. Everett introduced them earlier this month. Medford city council agreed to Limebike and another company at the end of may. They are still going back and forth on some things so not sure when it’s supposed to start. I think Chelsea has already introduced them as well and Melrose is on the list to get them too. Boston, Cambridge age Somerville have an inclusive contract with blue cross now for blue bikes which took over for Hubway but dock system wouldn’t work well in cities were people aren’t taking bikes to specific locations where you have a dock, plus the cost to the city to put in the dock is much higher.

I don’t know how accurate this figure is but a Malden city councilor was quoted on a article on the roll out in Everett that they have a daily ridership of 400 a day here. If that’s true based on number of complaints it really does seem it’s the actions of a few ignorant people who don’t use common sense when parking the bikes. They shouldn’t ruin it for those properly using the bikes. Maybe more education for users and if they could find a way to fine parking offenders but if that 400 rider a day number is right then there is a benefit to the city. My son and his friends have used it, I’ve seen other kids using them. Maybe the city could organize a bike 101. I’d rather see kids out this summer riding bikes then sitting home playing video games. Reality is you are always going to have people with zero regard for anyone else. These same people park inappropriately, liter, cut you off in traffic and so on. You can’t control everyone and like I said before I think finding a way to penalize the offenders can help this some. Instead of fighting the program that probably isn’t going anywhere and even if Malden did away with it of our neighbors don’t these bikes are stlll going to be in our city so we need to find ways to coexist.

bike was retrieved and redistributed

If you're in a wheelchair or are visually impaired and navigate with a cane, I don't know how you can co-exist with an obstacle that obstructs your access and denies you your legal right to use the sidewalk.

The first problem is that Limebike does not educate users about the rights of the disabled and the reason why it is important for users to follow the law. I've reviewed what they offer myself. It is as if they are intentionally avoiding the subject. My more than 20 years experience as an attorney tell me that that is EXACTLY what they are doing and that it is by design. Because if they acknowledge the problem, it will be evidence of the "foreseeability" of it. That is an important legal concept. Because if it is foreseeable that their bikes will block access, at some point they will have a duty to remedy the problem. So they actually have an incentive NOT to acknowledge the rights of the disabled in any of their materials. And that is exactly what they are doing.

It is also clear that they aren't doing anything to hold users accountable. I frequently see bikes left in the exact same locations time and again in residential neighborhoods. That tells me that it is probably the same people doing the same thing over and over without any consequence.

So the first problem is Limebike. The second problem is our city leaders. Again, they have many of the same incentives. They absolutely refuse to acknowledge the problem. Because again, if they admit there is a problem, a lawsuit for a violation of the ADA becomes more viable.

Of course, this is a city, and a mayor's office in particular, that does very little to protect the rights of the disabled. The mayor just finally filled the office of ADA compliance officer after it was vacant for more than a year. As a consequence of that vacancy, there was literally no one in the city to report ADA violations to. I know because I've tried. The city also appears to have never complied with its more than 20 year old legal obligation to produce an ADA transition plan. I tried to get further information from the mayor's office and got no response. I was told by the state that they completed a draft over a decade ago, bit that nothing followed that. The mayor has also failed to fill the seat on the Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission specifically reserved for a disability rights advocate. So realtors, the Malden Housing Authority, the City Council, and the Mayor's office are all represented. But not the disabled. Given the nature of their work, it's an absolute disgrace. So I see this as part of a larger pattern of discriminatory conduct by the city.

What's the solution? I see two. The first is the ballot box. Those officials who fail to show a concern for the rights of the disabled need to be marked for removal for office. I, for one, am preparing to make a sizable investment of time and money to do just that in the next election cycle. I hope that members of the disabled community, and those who share a concern for the rights of the disabled, will join me. I may even make a run myself, if for no other reason than to hold incumbents to account for their failures (on this and a myriad of other issues).

The second solution is litigation. As a pattern develops, violations of the ADA will become easier to prove. And as the parent of a visually impaired child (who is beginning the prices of learning to navigate with a cane) and as a lawyer, I have the ability, and the legal standing, to potentially bring a case. Again, this is something that I am willing to commit resources to. But it will require help from members of the community.

As far as your kids are concerned, I understand where you are coming from. I have been involved in youth sports for several years and understand the value of getting kids outside and active. You're absolutely right on that point. At the same time, our sidewalks are not places for children to ride and park rental bikes, especially at the expense of those g like MY son) with a need for and a legal right to unobstructed access. We don't play Little League games in city parking lots, for example. We play them on baseball diamonds. In other words, there is a time and place for everything.

In closing, you are absolutely correct that a very small minority is causing this problem. Based on your numbers, Limebike users represent an infinitesimal percentage of the population (less than 1%). And the ones causing the problems are probably a small fraction of that. But no one at Limebike or in city government appears willing to even acknowledge the problem, never mind do anything to hold these people accountable. So the only thing left to do is to hold these officials accountable. And that may just mean hauling the city into court.

Great comment and thoughtful. I have witnessed several bikes blocking the sidewalk. Time for ADA violations! I have met with folks in city hall and apparently they seem to want to go through litigation. I found 2 bikes today on Pierce St. Are there any accessible bikes? I have not seen one. Another violation. Unfortunately some folks didn't think this program through and forgot our society has become self-centered and the bikes would be left anywhere and leave the good taxpayers holding the bag.

Thanks, Sue. For the moment, we just have to keep reporting every single violation we see. That's the only way to hold the company accountable and to create a record concerning the extent of the issue.

Also, with regard to the use of the bikes by minors, parents should review the Limebike User Agreement. No minor under 16 is allowed to use a Limebike under any circumstances. And any parent of a 16 or 17 year old using one must (1) ensure that the minor wears a helmet and (2) "supervise the minor AT ALL TIMES while the minor is using the bike." https://www.limebike.com/user-agreement

this was addressed earlier today, bike has been retrieved and redistributed

Yes, this bike was removed. But tomorrow there will be another one. And the next day, another. I do about a report a day, and these are just the result of the ones that are directly in my way during my very short walks to the train station, and the ones that I have time to report. Nothing is being done to address the larger problem.

Please report this to Senator Lewis as it appears the company and the City are not willing and/or capable of taking care of this matter. Thank you

Why don't you provide MARKED areas where bikes can be parked? Allocate space for them on the streets, not on the sidewalks. Fine customers who leave them outside the designated areas.

You're absolutely right Beth. the mayor posted about a couple of bikes earlier today. I took the opportunity to ask him what he would propose to try to strike a balance between the rights of the disabled (and everyone else who needs to use sidewalks) and the mere convenience of this relatively small group of Limebike users. He hasn't been heard from on SCF since. So much for transparency. He either doesn't know what to do, or doesn't care. In either event, this company is being allowed to operate with impunity. Apparently, they are above the law.

The bike has been removed and redistributed.