Latest news with #AnthonyEvangelou
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rules on e-bikes explained as celeb restaurant 'has 60 Lime and Forest bikes dumped outside'
A London restaurant popular with celebrities has complained of being besieged by e-bikes after a parking bay was installed on its doorstep. Greek restaurant Lemonia, in Primrose Hill, says it regularly has up to 60 Lime and Forest bikes parked outside. Owner Anthony Evangelou says the parking bay, installed in February, has caused issues for his business and is considering taking legal action. When the parking bay is full, he said, Lime and Forest users have left bikes on the pavement or down the street, which he claimed is "dangerous" for customers and stops neighbours leaving their garages. Lime, Forest and Camden Council said they are monitoring use of the bay. But what are the rules on e-bike parking? Here, Yahoo News UK explains. In London, Lime bikes can be parked in designated bays, bike racks or "neatly to the side of the pavement". Bays and bike racks are marked with a "P" sign on the Lime app's map, showing customers where to go. Customers must park on pavements in areas where bays and racks are unavailable. Lime's advice is to "be considerate of other pavement users". This means placing the bike close to the edge of the pavement by the kerb, and parking in line with trees and lampposts, to allow enough space for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Guidance is similar for Forest bikes. Lime gives warnings to customers who park incorrectly the first time, and then hands out parking charges up to £20. It says repeat offenders will be banned. Parking guidance is not always heeded, however. Last year, The Standard reported on a Lime "epidemic" of incorrectly parked bikes in London with Yemi Dada, a retired financial adviser who is partially sighted, telling the paper that poorly parked bikes on pavements were stopping him leaving the house for fear of falling over. Earlier this year, one London authority took matters into its own hands by seizing more than 100 rental e-bikes that were obstructing pavements or roads. The City of London Corporation said the e-bikes were stored in 'a safe location' during the two-week operation. Companies which owned the bikes, such as Lime and Forest, were able to collect them after paying a fee to cover the cost of 'removal and storage'. Lime and Forest have pledged to improve their service, with Lime announcing earlier this year it would create 2,500 more dedicated e-bike parking spaces in London. Yahoo News UK has asked the company how many spaces have been installed so far. Government rules for e-bikes state they can only be used by over-14s. No licence is needed to ride one, nor do they need to be registered, taxed or insured. They can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling if it has vehicle approval, with the electric motor having a "continuous rated power" output of no more than 250 watts. People can ride e-bikes on cycle paths and anywhere else where pedal bikes are allowed. And like pedal bikes, they can't be used on pavements. E-bike blazes happening 'every other day' in London, fire chief warns (PA Media) Opinion: I can't imagine anything worse than cycling on a Lime bike – here's why (The Independent) Opinion: Lime bikes annoys half of London, but they're so addictive to ride (The Independent)
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The celebrity hotspot besieged by e-bikes: Primrose Hill restaurant says dozens of cycles are being dumped on doorstep and blocking deliveries
A Primrose Hill restaurant popular with celebrities is being besieged by e-bikes after a parking bay was installed on its doorstep. Greek restaurant Lemonia, which has been a staple of the trendy suburb for 50 years, regularly has up to 60 Lime and Forest bikes dumped outside. Owner Anthony Evangelou said the addition has caused havoc for his business - popular with celebs such as Madonna and Harry Styles - and is considering taking legal action. The 80-year-old claimed the bikes leave the restaurant's deliveries entrance blocked and disrupts the day-to-day running of the business. When the parking space is full, Lime and Forest users leave their bikes on the pavement or down the street, Mr Evangelou said, which he claimed is 'dangerous' for his customers and stops neighbours leaving their garages. As a result of the chaos, Mr Evangelou has even had drivers threaten to stop delivering to him, because of how difficult it is to reach the restaurant. Mr Evangelou, who lives with his wife in nearby Highgate, said: 'The parking spot was put there a few months ago and it has been getting worse and worse ever since. 'Bikes are piling up outside our restaurant and they're not being left in the designated area. Our entrance we use for deliveries is blocked - and drivers can't get our food to us. 'Some have even threatened to not deliver because they can't carry the stuff into the restaurant as the bikes are in the way. 'That can't happen. We have lots of customers. We need our deliveries. 'Some of the bikes get dumped on the pavement which is dangerous for customers. And some are put outside our neighbour's garage. 'He's a doctor. He needs to get out for emergencies and at times hasn't been able to. 'It's frustrating because Camden Council gave us an outdoor space for our restaurant. Why are they ruining it with the bikes? 'Whoever decided this was the place for a parking spot made a bad decision. 'And that's alright. Everyone makes mistakes. But mistakes should be rectified.' The parking space outside Lemonia was brought in back in February after companies like Lime and Forest were criticised for allowing users to leave their bikes anywhere. Now, users have to end their ride in a designated bay, such as the one outside Lemonia. But Mr Evangelou said that other businesses shouldn't be punished as a result. He said: 'This designated parking area is in the wrong place. It should not be outside a restaurant. But it also shouldn't be moved and just impact a different business. 'Highways teams need to figure out spaces where the bikes can go without disrupting people - such as near traffic light crossings. The parking space outside Lemonia was brought in back in February after companies like Lime and Forest were criticised for allowing users to leave their bikes anywhere 'It shouldn't be that the bike companies benefit and the rest of us get punished. 'The system shouldn't work like that. 'We're considering taking legal action if something isn't done about this.' To make matters worse, a huge bin for nearby flats was also recently placed outside the restaurantwhich has resulted in 'mountains of rubbish' piling up on the street. This, combined with the e-bikes, has left Mr Evangelou concerned about the impact this may have on the reputation of leafy Primrose Hill. Lemonia is popular with locals and celebs alike - with A listers such as Madonna, Harry Styles, Kate Winslet and Matt Smith all reported to have dined there. Mr Evangelou said: 'Name a celebrity - they've been here. I just think the bikes will bring down the atmosphere of the restaurant. 'And is this the image we want to give of Primrose Hill - a popular destination to visit?' Responding to Mr Evangelou's concerns, a Lime spokesperson said: 'We never want our e-bikes to obstruct access for residents or local businesses. 'The recent good weather has seen record demand and trip numbers in Camden, particularly around the borough's popular green spaces and hospitality venues, including in Primrose Hill. 'While it's encouraging to see more people choosing sustainable transport, we understand the frustration when bays become overcrowded. 'We've increased our on-street team working in Camden and are monitoring this location closely to help keep the area accessible for everyone.' Meanwhile, Alex Berwin, head of policy at Forest, added: 'At Forest, we take all reports of any of our e-bikes causing an obstruction extremely seriously, particularly when it inhibits access or obstructs the public highway. 'We are committed to operating a safe and responsible service for our users and the communities we operate in. 'Our Operations team are operative 24/7, and we have a dedicated team of on-foot Guardians in Camden who proactively relocate abandoned e-bikes and tidy parking bays. 'This is in addition to in-app AI technology we have implemented into our app which grades users' end-of-ride photos and can detect when an e-bike is left irresponsibly, and after which we will warn, fine or suspend their account.' A spokesperson for Camden Council said: 'A dockless bike and e-scooter hire bay was installed at this location following a full consultation with residents and local businesses, with the aim to encourage active travel and improve local air quality and reduce carbon emissions. 'We will monitor the use of the bay and work with bike providers to ensure that any excess bikes are removed promptly.'
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Primrose Hill restaurant ‘blocked' by dozens of e-bikes
A Primrose Hill restaurant popular with celebrities is being besieged by e-bikes after the Labour-run council installed a parking bay on its doorstep. The family-run Greek restaurant Lemonia, which has been a north-west London staple for over 40 years, has become inundated with dozens of e-bikes since the parking spot appeared overnight a few months ago. Anthony Evangelou, the owner, said the restaurant's deliveries entrance had been blocked, resulting in drivers threatening to stop delivering supplies, prompting him to consider legal action. The 80-year-old added that, when the parking space is full, Lime and Forest users leave their bikes on the pavement, which he claims is 'dangerous'. Mr Evangelou, who lives with his wife in nearby Highgate, said: 'The parking spot was put there a few months ago and it has been getting worse and worse ever since. 'Bikes are piling up outside our restaurant and they're not being left in the designated area. Our entrance we use for deliveries is blocked – and drivers can't get our food to us. 'Some have even threatened to not deliver because they can't carry the stuff into the restaurant as the bikes are in the way. 'That can't happen. We have lots of customers. We need our deliveries. 'Some of the bikes get dumped on the pavement which is dangerous for customers.' He added: 'It's frustrating because Camden Council gave us an outdoor space for our restaurant. Why are they ruining it with the bikes? 'Whoever decided this was the place for a parking spot made a bad decision. 'And that's alright. Everyone makes mistakes. But mistakes should be rectified.' 'The system shouldn't work like that' The parking space outside Lemonia was brought back in February after companies like Lime and Forest were criticised for allowing users to leave their bikes anywhere. Mr Evangelou urged the Labour-run Camden Council to figure out where the bikes can go without disrupting businesses. He said: 'This designated parking area is in the wrong place. It should not be outside a restaurant. 'It shouldn't be that the bike companies benefit and the rest of us get punished. 'The system shouldn't work like that. We're considering taking legal action if something isn't done about this.' Lemonia is popular with locals and celebs alike, with Madonna, Harry Styles, Kate Winslet and Matt Smith all reported to have dined there. Mr Evangelou said: 'Name a celebrity – they've been here. I just think the bikes will bring down the atmosphere of the restaurant. 'And is this the image we want to give of Primrose Hill – a popular destination to visit?' Responding to Mr Evangelou's concerns, a Lime spokesperson said: 'We never want our e-bikes to obstruct access for residents or local businesses. 'The recent good weather has seen record demand and trip numbers in Camden, particularly around the borough's popular green spaces and hospitality venues, including in Primrose Hill. 'While it's encouraging to see more people choosing sustainable transport, we understand the frustration when bays become overcrowded. 'We've increased our on-street team working in Camden and are monitoring this location closely to help keep the area accessible for everyone.' Alex Berwin, the head of policy at Forest, added: 'At Forest, we take all reports of any of our e-bikes causing an obstruction extremely seriously, particularly when it inhibits access or obstructs the public highway. 'We are committed to operating a safe and responsible service for our users and the communities we operate in. He added that there was a team of 'on-foot Guardians' in Camden who proactively relocate abandoned e-bikes and tidy parking bays, in addition to AI technology which grades users' end-of-ride photos. A spokesperson for Camden Council said: 'A dockless bike and e-scooter hire bay was installed at this location following a full consultation with residents and local businesses, with the aim to encourage active travel and improve local air quality and reduce carbon emissions. 'We will monitor the use of the bay and work with bike providers to ensure that any excess bikes are removed promptly.' They added that they are available to discuss any concerns with residents and see what they can do to help ease issues going forward.
