The incessant beeping of stolen Lime e-bikes has become the soundtrack of summer in London, particularly in parks and residential areas. The noise, described as akin to a half-bothered fire alarm, is emitted when someone bypasses the bike's lock to ride without paying. Video tutorials online show how to break into the bikes, and the sound is intended as a deterrent, but it has become widespread.
In Clissold Park, east London, residents and visitors have mixed feelings. Ellie Roberts, 47, hears the beeping daily and calls it the 'birdsong of Hackney', viewing it as a sign of ongoing low-level crime. However, her friend Sinead McKenna, 49, says she quite likes it, seeing it as the sound of summer and not blaming children who ride the bikes for free. Sebastian Eyre, 34, estimates that in his area of Sydenham, nine out of ten Lime bikes are stolen based on how often he hears the beep.
John Villeneau, 59, notes a massive increase in Lime bikes in his area, with hundreds outside pubs on Friday nights. He doesn't mind the noise, saying if you're forced to take a bike and not pay, you have to put up with it. Jane, 68, a former teacher, heard the beeping twice during a visit to Clissold Park and believes it's not just young people but everyone who becomes selfish on the bikes.
A Lime spokesperson said the company takes instances of theft and misuse seriously, noting that the vast majority of users ride responsibly. The bikes cost 27p per minute plus a £1 unlock fee in London, and under-18s are banned from using the service, though schoolkids are often seen riding them.
