Hire bikes completely block a well-used thoroughfare in Covent Garden

• I WRITE further to the ongoing discussion regarding the ongoing nuisance of hire bicycles and some irresponsible cyclists.

Unfortunately, this situation continues with pavement cycling and the inappropriate dumping of cycles seeming to increase.

This photograph, see above, taken of Endell Street at the junction with Betterton Street in Covent Garden, clearly shows the pavement of well-used thoroughfare completely blocked by hire bikes.

This to such an extent that the workers were obstructed from collecting the refuse. Any pedestrian with a visual or mobility impairment or disability would be at risk serious injury.

As many readers will be aware, some people bypass the security locking system or use stolen credit card details to hire bicycles, thus ensuring that they are completely anonymous in the event of an accident or the bikes being used as part of criminal activity.

You have kindly published my previous letters in which I have stated that the only effective way of improving the situation is to heavily fine the bike hire companies for each cycle found inappropriately parked. It is difficult to understand why this was not included in the contracts.

During the mandatory risk assessment, surely the potential nuisance caused by cycles was raised? Were councils pressurised by central government and/or the cycling lobby to introduce schemes, regardless of their suitability?

The Transport for London-Santander cycling scheme (Boris bikes) is well-run and, to avoid a substantial surcharge, riders must return the cycles to docking stations after use as opposed to dumping them on the pavement.

One scheme is sufficient and it is wholly unnecessary for several profit-making companies to run separate cycling programmes.

KEELEY-JASMINE CAVENDISH, SE21