Could you tell me how many bikes you counted that were interfering with access to sidewalks, ramps, doorways/gates, benches and/or railings? I'm actually starting to track and compile numbers. So a count would be a huge help. Thanks!

This is part of the user’s issue when they end the rental should be leave the bike without any disturbance to others you can get the bike ID and contact the company
and they exacly know who is the last user and the company can correct the issue

Problem is they aren't doing anything to educate their users or to hold them accountable. The company has absolutely no incentive to do so because the city lets them get away with it.

You are absolutely correct

It's obvious you two don't like the bike program. I've seen kids pick the bikes up and move them, probably just to anger people like you. Knowing who last rented doesn't mean he/she is the offender. Our taxes and fees are going through the roof and you two are complaining about bicycles? Seriously, this town has bigger issues.

Bill, no it doesn't. Are you telling me that the rights of access guaranteed by the ADA, and the federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, ordinances, and building codes that flow from it, are unimportant? I'd like to hear your answer. Perhaps it is a question you have never considered.

Let me tell you a real story (unlike your tall tale of kids moving bikes) about something I actually witnessed about six weeks ago in Boston. I was walking near NU. A tent had been set up for an event. A trash barrel was positioned at the entrance. It left less than three feet to the edge of a driveway curb cut. From across the street, I saw a mother pushing a child in a wheelchair and struggling to navigate the obstacle. As she did, one of the wheels went off the curbing. The wheelchair tipped forward and sideways. The child pitched forward and would have fallen face-first onto the pavement had she not been securely belted in place. I could tell the mother was terribly embarrassed as she struggled to right the chair, even though none of what had happened was her fault and that she was the victim of someone else's lack of consideration. Disability should never be a source of shame or humiliation. Unfortunately too often our society makes it exactly that in ways just like this. Now I suppose you might think there are bigger issues than that trash barrel, just as you think there are bigger issues than bikes blocking sidewalks. But at that moment that that mother was struggling with that wheelchair, you would have been terribly wrong.

The problem with the ableist mentality is that those who are characterized by it have never bothered to consider the impact of an obstruction on a person in a wheelchair, a visually impaired person (like my son) who has to navigate with a cane, or others with mobility challenges. They don't understand, and don't bother to educate themselves about the law and the reasons for it. Basically, they lack empathy, not because they are bad people, but because they are ignorant. That isn't necessarily their fault. But as a result, they trample all over the rights of our most vulnerable residents, often without even knowing that they are doing it.

As to the importance of the issue, the problem is that it is part of a pervasive problem here in Malden. Malden has failed to complete the mandated ADA transition plan that should have been finished 15 years ago. The mayor just finally got around to filling the ADA compliance officer position that had been vacant for over a year. The Mayor has NEVER filled the seat on the Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission specifically reserved for a disability rights advocate (while realtors, the business community, the housing authority, the mayor, and the city council are all represented). And multiple city officials have demonstrated ignorance of and have violated service animal laws. I could go on.

Now they have brought in a dockless bike program and refuse to address concerns from disability rights advocates like myself. They literally refuse to even acknowledge what is self-evident from the law: that the disabled have a right to unobstructed access to our city sidewalks.

So this is not about some irrational dislike for a bikeshare program. I actually thought one would be a good idea. But I always imagined something with docks or at least designated parking areas. I never imagined we'd have anything like this.

So that's why I'm doing this. Ridicule, demean, and dismiss my concerns all you want. I'm doing this for that mother and child I saw a few weeks back. I'm doing this for my son. I'm doing this for every single person in a wheelchair and for every visually impaired person in our community. I'm doing it for the parents pushing strollers, for the elderly, for people who just want to take a walk, and for every single person who uses the sidewalk. I'm not going anywhere. I will forgive you for not having previously considered any of this and why it's important. I would simply ask that you do so now.

And BTW, Bill: As you can tell from the number of people joining in and speaking out here every day, there are a lot of people who share these concerns and who are taking action. Remember: One person is a fruitcake. 50 people is a movement. How about you get on the right side of the issue and join us?

Bill
Don’t jumb fast on your conclution about me I support the program and I use bicycle path daily. Irresponsible people are the one causing the problem it is very affordable transport and you can drop anywhere
Read my earlier comment

I love your story on the ADA, very nice. I agree everyone should have access to the sidewalk.

People are speaking out, cool. Some people are also in favor of the bikes. But, you don't seem to care about that. As a matter of fact, I'm apparently a "fruit" for supporting them.

Just, please, do me a favor Ghazi. When you write your report be fair. List all the incidents of unpassable sidewalks, including the one that are not passable because they are in disrepair, or have cars illegally parked, construction, etc. etc. Oh, and let's not forget the intersections that have no handicapped ramps. That really goes against the ADA.

So many reasons why many sidewalks are difficult to get down. Yet year after year you appear to go on this site and target only the bicycle program.

I'm glad you're a movement of 50. Though it makes me wonder how many people rent the bicycles, probably more than 50. In your report, you should mention how many people rent them. The renters are a movement too.

The bikes have been retrieved and relocated.

Bill: I don't only comment about the bicycle program. As for whether I'm targeting it year after year, well... it's only been around since last fall. But if your point is that I've been increasingly relentless on them, on that you'd be right. Because, like Stop Sign, I see the program as presenting a unique problem. As structured, it incentivizes bad behavior. Since the bikes are not the customer's property, there is no disincentive to park them illegally. No one would leave their own bike in the middle of a sidewalk, because it wouldn't remain for very long. Someone would take it. There's a consequence to being careless with one's own property. But with a Limebike there is no such disincentive. And this situation that we now have all over the city is the result.

You are absolutely correct to point out all of the other access problems in this city. I raise those issues regularly, whether it's vehicles parked on the sidewalk or blocking ramps, the way the city handles snow removal around pedestrian access points, or the conditions of our sidewalks and crosswalks (as just one example, I've raised concerns about the sidewalks on Winter Street near the MBTA station that are impassable in a wheelchair and which present a serious danger for the visually impaired, senior citizens, and others). That's exactly why I say that Limebike is merely a part of a much larger pattern, and why I am particularly troubled by the apparent lack of an ADA transition plan, the ongoing issues with the HRFHC, and the absence of a comprehensive, coherent, and integrated transportation and infrastructure plan, especially with our existing infrastructure crumbling as a result of decades of deferred maintenance.

That of course comes right back around to the budgetary concerns that you raise. And on that, you could not be more right. That's why I write about things like lax traffic enforcement (Malden writes a fraction -- between 1/4 and 1/2 -- of the traffic citations of our comparably sized neighbors). The city's own auditors have pointed out the negative impact of this both on public safety and the budget. But the practice appears not to have changed.

It's also why I write about the concerns the city's auditors have raised relating to accounting practices that they have described as creating unreasonable and serious risks. Just open a newspaper if you want to see the kind of impact this can have on the city. Despite the seriousness of the issue, I've had a very difficult time getting any information from city officials about what measures have been taken to tighten up controls. The answer would appear to be that there have been none. I am very concerned that our tax dollars and fee payments are being placed at risk. They certainly have been in the past. That's why I advocate a municipal budget freeze until we can account for every last penny coming in and going out of the city's coffers. We should not approve a penny of new spending until we have confidence in the city's accounting controls. And a budget freeze is the only mechanism I can see to provide the necessary motivation. When politicians don't have money for pet projects, things change quickly.

I understand that I am on the one hand I am saying that we have problems that require spending, and, on the other, that we should freeze the budget. It is simply that I don't think that you can have one without the other. You have to recover the revenue that is almost certainly being lost and get a handle on how money is really being spent (and in the process identify areas of waste -- or worse), in order to get a real handle on what is actually available and then target your budgetary priorities.

Then you can come up with the comprehensive plan we need to fix your sidewalks and crosswalks, resurface roads, redesign and rebuild dangerous intersections, and the like. But it starts with fiscal discipline. And right now, this city seems to have less than none.

Returning to Limebike for a moment, one of the reasons I am so focused on them, despite the importance of these other issues, is just a matter of the immediacy of the problem and the fact that I know from the experiences of other communities that it's an area where we can and will have an impact. I think that getting bikes off the travel portions of the sidewalks is achievable with no cost whatsoever to the city. Getting the sidewalks repaired is a MUCH more complicated issue. So there is a bit of a cost-benefit analysis going on, I also see the impact of the bike share program as an immediately emerging problem that needs to be nipped before the negative behaviors gain a foothold and become normalized.

How many riders they have doesn't really matter to me. If they have 1,000, and only one disabled person is impacted, the law says that the disabled person wins. That's important, because as a nation we've consistently decided that basic human rights are not subject to majority rule. And the ADA is consistent with that tradition. Regardless, I've heard that Limebike has something like 400 rides a day. I have no idea whether that's accurate. I can assure you that Malden has more than 400 disabled residents. In fact, given the statistics, I would bet Malden has in excess of 10,000 individuals with a disability, and that a sizable percentage of those folks have mobility and/or visual impairments that make unobstructed sidewalks essential. So I can guarantee you that if it comes down to which lobby is larger, the disabled will win in a route.

The reality though is that you and I seem to be saying a lot of the same things, and raising a lot of the same concerns. There is more overlap than disagreement. Both of us would like to see a bike share program that works. Neither of us believe a bike should be left in the middle of a sidewalk or obstructing a railing. Both of us also agree that the condition of our sidewalks, crosswalks, and roadways is a major problem. And both of us are concerned about where our money is going. Addressing a particular problem does not exclude solving another. You and I are very much on the same page. So let's both keep working to move things forward.

I hope you helped that woman with the wheelchair. Helping each other is what makes a community work. Moving a bike three feet to the side of the sidewalk AND reporting it to the company would be a more helpful and intelligent way of trying to fix a potential problem. Timing how long it takes the company to respond doesn’t help anyone.

Malden Family.

You have no idea what I do or don't do. You really shouldn't make assumptions and unfair judgments about people you don't know. And the fact of the matter is I shouldn't have to justify anything. But as for the situation near NU, I did stop. I was probably more than 60 feet away though across a street (as I mentioned in my original post). The mother righted the chair in a few seconds. So yes. I was attentive and very much prepared to help. I just didn't have an opportunity.

As for the bikes, I've moved more than I can count, and probably far more than you (though maybe I'm wrong). But as you would know if you have ever moved one yourself, the bikes are heavier than most and have a locking rear wheel as theft deterrents. I also happen to be recovering from a knee injury about a month ago, and had difficulty even walking for almost three weeks. So you ought to take a hard look at the troubling assumption you made and which was implicit in your criticism: that everyone is always physically capable of moving a bike.

Beyond that, I am concerned that if we continue to move them, as many of us have done in the past, then there is even further disincentive for Limebike to do anything, as there is absolutely no cost to them. It all ends up being borne by us. Essentially we get turned into volunteer employees. Not only do I think that it is wrong to expect all of us to do that, I actually think it ultimately makes the problem worse. Because what happens then is that Limebike continues to have no incentive to do anything meaningful to educate its users and to hold them accountable. Likewise, our political leaders are let off the hook for a problem that they have created and are allowing to persist. So together Limebike and our leaders have created not only an access problem, but a real ethical dilemma for concerned members of the community.

Furthermore, even if I stop and move every bike I see, and everyone else who shares my concerns does the same, good samaritans can't be everywhere. The problem is a widespread one that only Limebike and city leaders can really address. And Limebike is simply not going to respond until political and profit-related pressure mounts. Moving the bikes will actually make that less likely. So again, it's not as simple as you make it out to be.

On top of all of this, now they have residents like you and me getting into disagreements over it. All of this is bad for our community. And it is the direct result of a lack of leadership by city leaders, and a lack of good corporate citizenship by Limebike.

In closing, as I think I have made clear, it is neither helpful nor fair of you to use this platform to try to insult me. Rather than asking "What have you done?" may I suggest that you ask "What can I do?" Then let's focus our attention together on solving what is a very real issue here in our community.

One more thought:

As far as timing Limebike's responses is concerned, I cannot disagree more strongly with you. That is probably the one of the single BEST things we can do. It is part of the process of recording and collecting data to inform decision making. We very much need to try to gauge how frequently the problem is occurring, and how long it is taking for it to be resolved. That has implications for decision-making within the political process. It should hopefully also help to influence Limebike's behavior and speed their responses. And as an attorney, I can assure you that data like that is absolutely essential to making a viable legal claim, should that ultimately become necessary. It can't be done without it, in fact.

Good luck with all your endeavors.

What you are doing on this platform is a gross abuse of the system and warrants a report of terms of service misconduct. Having and addressing a public concern for the betterment of the community is a great privilege but being belligerent and posting multiple reports and lengthy comments daily is absolutely childish. It's a shame too considering the guise of concern you appear to have is actually negatively affecting the real effort in the long run - masked and flooded with your ridiculous comments. As a resident (and obviously a supporter of cycling) I look to our neighboring cities, towns, and affiliates who are also part of the MAPC program and find that the method, approach, and attitude to access and logistical issues by its citizens is extremely professional and quite different than how you are coming across. As you are clearly politically motivated as is illustrated by previous comments, here is some advice (if you are even capable of taking any) - take your issues and concerns and seek them in an appropriate forum, in other words, seek out political officials in person by appointment (like the rest of us do), letter, or phone. This isn't a social media forum to rally political allies (use Facebook or your practicing law business for that). It is a trip ticket report and response tool. I'd be inclined to agree with you and your arguments but you are seriously working against your own cause with your hostility towards residents, this new company, those who hold office, and the evolution/progress of our city. Communal dissension is not appreciated.

Thank you. If you happen to see one blocking access (or any other obstacle for that matter), please take some action if you can. Whether you decide to move it, report it, or both is up to you. All I ask is that none of us ignore it.

I left couple of comments and I emailed to the bike company ##-
They have the number for my email
Your request (290377) has been received and is being reviewed by our support staff.
If anyone wants write your concer here is the contact link

https://www.limebike.com/about-us

Actually, the ironic thing is that you are doing so many of the things you falsely accuse me of. People are reporting and discussing their concerns. We have a right to do that. And in fact SCF encourages exactly this sort of use of their platform.
https://gov.seeclickfix.com/2010/04/30/who-dumped-all-that-free-speech-on-my-lawn/

Unfortunately, people then come on and hurl insults at people reporting and discussing legitimate problems, as you have just done. When that happens, I try to provide a reasoned response. Often, I have find that to result in many of us finding common ground. See above in this very thread for examples.

Beyond that, this platform is a public forum under the law. That affords users certain legal rights of free expression. Even though it is run by a private company, it is contracted by the government. So people can express whatever opinion they want as long as it doesn't violate the terms of use. And nothing I have said has done that. If the site or the city wants to impose some objective rules, like limiting the length of posts, or the number of posts that one can make in a given period, they can. That would be fine. But they can't favor certain viewpoints. And as a private citizen, if you don't like what I have to say, you are more than free not to read. But if someone responds to me, I have an equal right to do the same, whether we agree or disagree. Again, don't read it if you don't want to. No one is making you. That you don't agree with my opinion, or even my commitment to expressing it, does not allow you to silence it.

If you want to have a calm and rational discussion about the problem, I'd be happy to, whether here or wherever. I think that as a supporter of a cycling and of bike share, you would want to do that. I think you'd find that we want a lot of the same things for our community.

Bill: I just realized that you may have misunderstood something I said and took it as an insult where none was intended. When I referred to one person being a fruitcake, I was actually making a self-deprecating joke. My point was simply that I'm not the only one. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear and you took offense. That was not my intent.