Criticised Mobike smashing world records on Gold Coast

DESPITE copping criticism since its Gold Coast launch earlier this year, Mobike is killing it on the Glitter Strip, smashing world records. Here’s our exclusive chat with Mobike’s general manager.

Mobike general manager Mina Nada takes one of his bikes for a spin. Photo Richard Gosling

DESPITE copping criticism since its launch in February, statistics show Mobike is thriving on the Gold Coast with 30,000 registered users.

Figures from the bike share provider’s app, which is essential to download to operate the bikes, show the Gold Coast has the longest duration rides in the world, averaging 27 minutes compared to second placed Singapore at 15 minutes, and one of the highest uptake rates.

Mobike general manager Mina Nada. Photo Richard Gosling

Mobike Australia and New Zealand general manager Mina Nada said despite criticism in the media, the statistics spoke for themselves.

“The uptake has been really strong on the Gold Coast. Consumers are downloading a lot, there are high rates of reuse,” he said.

“Interesting stat is that Gold Coast has the highest rates of the longest trips in the world.

“We’re in 200-plus cities in the world and people are cycling the longest on the Gold Coast (compared to) anywhere else.

Mobikes are killing it on the Goldie. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I think if you look at the Gold Coast, fundamentally it’s flat, it’s sunny, people are health conscious, there are a lot of tourists so it’s got a lot of the elements that make it really strong for cycling as a culture.

“All the ingredients (are there) to make it a successful bike share market and community service.”

Mobikes parked at a station in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

The main criticism of Mobikes since the business started has been a “litter’’ aspect. The bikes are dockless and can be left anywhere once riders have completed their trip, prompting public complaints about the bright orange bikes scattered around the Coast looking messy.

Mr Nada said the point of being dockless was so people had greater accessibility.

“The beauty of being dockless is people might see a Mobike and decide to ride on a whim, which is great for getting people active,” he said.

Another dumped bike. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Nada said vans with GPS tracking made daily collections of dormant bikes.

“It’s really horrible to see the way some of them are treated,” he said.

“If we’re alerted there’s a bike somewhere it shouldn’t be, we have an operations team that will remove it.

“We have a call centre, email, you can reach out to us through the app.

“We have people roving the Gold Coast at all times that are using the GPS to pick up the problem bikes, for example bikes that haven’t been ridden in 120 hours and bikes where they shouldn’t be.”

And another … Picture: Jerad Williams

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A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said part of the contract allowing Mobike to operate here stated ratepayers would not pay for any part of the program.

The council would be diligent in monitoring operations.

“Ratepayers will appreciate that there is zero cost to residents for this scheme,” the spokesman said.

“It is entirely privately run and funded.

“We are aware of concerns with where the bikes are being left. We will keep a watching brief on how this scheme continues to evolve.’’