Bath and North East Somerset Council considered deploying traffic wardens on electric bicycles to patrol Bath, aiming to enhance enforcement efficiency and reduce costs. Currently, parking enforcement officers use cars and mopeds to monitor the area, as the council plans to increase its team to generate an additional £50,000 annually through stricter illegal parking enforcement.
At a council scrutiny panel, Green councillor Saskia Heijltjes (Larkhall) proposed investing in electric pedal cycles specifically for Bath, referencing their effective use by Avon and Somerset Police. She highlighted potential savings in time and money, along with improved staff well-being and job satisfaction.
However, council officers explained that although electric bicycles had been evaluated, the plan faced significant obstacles. One key issue is integrating the necessary technology — such as automatic number plate recognition systems — onto bikes, which is currently not feasible. The officers elaborated that while officers can issue penalties on foot after spotting violations, efficiency is hindered if they spend excessive time reaching particular locations.
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Moreover, the council noted that enforcement methods must prioritize quick response times and effective coverage to manage Bath’s growing network of residents parking zones. These zones have expanded recently in areas like Walcot, Snow Hill, Claremont Road, Oldfield Park, and Westmoreland, sometimes shifting parking problems to more peripheral neighborhoods. Further expansion of these zones is under consideration.
In tandem, the council is reviewing its emissions-based parking charges by potentially linking permit costs to vehicle size. The objective is to incentivize smaller, safer vehicles that are less obstructive on narrow streets and reduce accident risks.
While electric bicycle patrols remain an intriguing concept, practical limitations mean that current enforcement will continue relying on cars and mopeds, with ongoing assessments of technological advancements for future possibilities.