Cambridge MP and Shadow Transport Minister Daniel Zeichner has condemned the Government’s relaxed response to the plans by Chinese bike-share company OFO to launch in the city.

In Parliamentary questions and a personal letter to the Transport Minister, Mr Zeichner urged the Government to move swiftly to give local Councils the powers needed to respond to the new situation, and set up a bike-parking licensing scheme. In response, the Minister merely says they will be ‘monitoring’ the situation.  

Mr Zeichner says that’s not good enough: “The Government is leaving local councils, and local people powerless against companies with deep pockets but little understanding of how our communities work. Instead of just watching, the Government should be moving swiftly to give Councils the powers to protect us. Bike-sharing schemes could be a great success, but not if they get off to a chaotic start -; we need action to make sure it works for everyone.”