Abandoned bikes from Gold Coast bikeshare scheme being dumped in city’s suburbs
A GOLD Coast man has been threatened with a fine for collecting abandoned bikes from a new bikeshare scheme which have been dumped in his suburb.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ABANDONED ride-share bicycles have crept into suburban Gold Coast reminiscent of the experiences in Melbourne and Sydney, residents say.
Despite promises of a hassle-free scheme from Gold Coast City Council and bike share service Mobike, residents say bikes are staying in the same spot they were left for days.
Ride-share services were criticised in southern cities where bikes were found in rivers, trees and on roofs.
Southport resident Wayne Richardson is picking up the cycles and taking them home to be collected, only to be threatened with a fee.
“I had seen the bikes along Cotlew Street and in the canal for days in a row,” Mr Richardson said.
WHAT GOLD COASTERS REALL THINK OF BIKESHARE PROGRAM
Mr Richardson said he had contacted Mobike on the matter and after the bikes were still not collected he took them home for safe keeping.
Mr Richardson said he was told by Mobike that the bikes were not be parked on private property “to avoid being penalised”.
“I still can’t get the company to pick them up. Residents are now the appointed caretakers of these abandoned bikes. We are relied on to stop children from tossing them in the canal and trees.
“The bikes work incredibly well in some places, but unfortunately the inevitable problem with the Gold Coast is the distances people need to travel.
“Many tourists can abandon the bike once they realise its an awful long way back.”
Southport Chamber of Commerce president Laird Marshall said the scheme was mirroring experiences in other cities.
“Residents talk about it the most, bikes just dumped and staying there for days,” Mr Marshall said.
“I think it is something that is not well thought out. It is a visual issue.
“I think it is ideal will make sure ride-sharing companies make a commitment for those left to be picked up.
“They know where they are stationary. They need to be moved back.”
Mayor Tom Tate remained brief on the matter of the ride-share scheme.
“These are operational matters for City officers and Mobike. I trust Mobike and (Mobike partner) TAG address these issues promptly,” he said.
Gold Coast City Council said they had received minimal complaints since the launch of the bike-share scheme.
“Convenient access to bikes means more locals and visitors spending more time out and about enjoying our fantastic city,” a city spokesman said.
Derek Mollison, general manager of TAG Mobility, said the point of difference of the scheme was the ability to leave the bike at any public destination.
“The beauty of bikeshare is having the flexibility and convenience to ride a bike to any destination, and this innovative approach encourages users to park their bikes at convenient and easily identified locations through the Mobike smartphone app.”
Up to 450 additional bikes have been introduced to the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games.
Residents can contact Mobike via a smartphone app, email — support.au@mobike.com — or the hotline 1800 559 213, Monday to Friday 9am-6pm.
This selfish parking cheat is never going to be OK
Parking can be annoying at the best of times but this may be the worst part of it. WATCH THE VIDEO
What every Gold Coast suburb could get in QLD state election
The state election countdown is on and candidates are out and about sharing what they’ll do to win your vote. See the full list of what they’ve promised for your suburb.