AN UPPER limit could be introduced on the number of dockless bikes in the city and parking hubs created, after concerns the situation is "getting out of hand".

There are currently around 1,300 of the brightly coloured bikes in Oxford, with many abandoned in rivers and on pavements leading to claims they are dangerous for visually impaired people.

Ofo recently expanded in the city and both Pony Bikes and Mobike are expected to increase their numbers ahead of the summer.

Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Wade called for powers to fine the companies for fly-tipping. But the city council’s Cycling Champion Louise Upton said people in Oxford were "comparatively well behaved" and there were far fewer incidents of vandalism than in other cities using the scheme.

She added that the firms were working with landowners to create parking hubs for the bikes to control the problem.

She said: “They are working with private landowners to establish hubs in some places, and those are a very good solution. But I think they do need the freedom to be left in places convenient for the users.

“Of course, that does not mean slung across pavements.

"I appreciate the system is not perfect, however, the apps have incentives to encourage good behaviour, and I do think that in the medium term – when fewer students buy themselves a cheap bike which they later abandon – it will lead to less waste.”

The firms are understood to be collaborating with the council over bike numbers and are keen to avoid lots of unused bikes lying around the city.

Oxford City Council’s head of planning Alex Hollingsworth said the code of conduct signed by all three firms was under constant review and included the possibility of an upper limit.

He said that each time a company wanted to add 100 more bikes it had to consult the council.

But Mrs Wade said: “The situation is already close to getting out of hand.

“It seems to me that dockless bike companies should need a licence to operate.

“What is happening at the moment is that the Labour-run administration is letting multi-national companies into Oxford with no real control.

"There is a contractual agreement but it has no teeth.”

“The licences should include clauses stating that, if bikes are left in unsuitable places where they could be a hazard, this will be treated as fly-tipping and the companies fined accordingly.”