Dockless bikes blocking walkways, creating hazard for those who use wheelchairs

Dockless bike-shares like Lime and others are a booming business, but while they're eco-and commuter-friendly, some wheelchair users say they're becoming less and less accessibility friendly.

"I understand their usefulness, but people just often don't consider where they leave 'em," said Seattle accessibility activist Dain Dillingham.

Dillingham was so frustrated when a Lime bike was left in the middle of the sidewalk, he tweeted out a PSA of sorts for riders who obstruct walkways. It's gotten thousands of likes and retweets.

"I've had them before on other wheelchair ramps in which I’ve also had to use the street, sometimes they’re just parked in the sidewalk and I can’t get around so I have to backtrack and go in the street. And I was just kinda fed up in the moment," he said.

It's not just an issue in Seattle. Bay State wheelchair users are also fed up with dockless bikes obstructing walkways in their communities.

Lime director of expansion Scott Mullen says it does happen, but their data shows it's rare.

"We're really only talking about that one percent. One percent is too many and we're striving for perfection and really it comes down to educating the rider," said Mullen.

"I think cities and towns really need to say dockless is not acceptable," said John Winske, deputy director, Disability Police Consortium.

Winske tells Boston 25 News reporter Crystal Haynes a Lime bike was left in front of the doors of their Malden offices for days because staff was unable to move it.

"Actually had to call somebody who wasn’t in to work that day to drive in, pick up the bike and move it out of the way. Because none of the people who were here, our workforce is mostly people with disabilities were able to effectively move the bike," said Colin Killick, Disability Policy Consortium.

Lime is now in 15 cities and towns across Massachusetts. They peaked last year at 2,500 bikes and expanding.

Winske says city and town leaders need to start rethinking the regulatory process before more go online.

"I don’t think a lot of times people with disabilities are included in the conversation," said Winske.

One solution accessibility advocates point to is docked bikes.

Cox Media Group