Few Gold Coasters use new bikeshare program which launched in February

NOTICED those orange bikes which have suddenly appeared? It’s the new bikeshare program which launched just weeks ago. But is anyone actually using them?

THEY are the bright orange bikes for public use that are failing to resonate across the Gold Coast.

The bike share scheme, which launched last month, is a partnership between Burleigh-based bus company Transit Australia Group and the world’s largest bike share operator Mobike.

But when the Gold Coast Bulletin hit Surfers Paradise over the weekend, we couldn’t find a single person who has used one.

The bikeshare program is a new addition to the city. Picture: Jerad Williams

Operators of the council-initiated scheme said they hoped the world first “hybrid dockless” system would prevent the cycles from being piled up on beaches, in rivers and up trees the way they had in other cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

However just a few weeks in, some locals were already describing the bikes as an eyesore.

“I’ve seen them laying around everywhere, there was even one on the bridge next to the casino Saturday night,” interstate tourist Mitchell Thompson said.

“I think they need a better system for how they return the bikes ... I haven’t seen anyone actually using them.”

People using the new bikes in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ashmore locals Ja Aviu, 19 and Hayley Gill, 18 said they “probably wouldn’t” use the bikes either.

“To be honest I don’t think they’re something that young people would use,” Mr Aviu said.

“They might be more of a tourist thing.”

The GPS-tracked bikes — up to 2000 will be rolled out in time for the Commonwealth Games — can be unlocked using a QR code with two crews monitoring the condition of bikes, which will be located and redistributed to high-demand areas by two crews every day.

The bike program launched last month. Picture: Jerad Williams

TAG Mobility General manager Derek Mollison said the Gold Coast scheme was different than other cities’ failed programs as it was integrated with existing public transport and was developed alongside the council.

“The great thing about a dockless system is the flexibility, that you can drop them off anywhere,” he said.

“But one of the beauties of this hybrid model is that it makes it easier for users to pick them up from a convenient location.”

Mobikes left on the street in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

This means bikes aren’t restricted to major hubs like Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach.

Instead, bikes are being ridden as far inland as Benowa and left on the side of the road or outside cafes and restaurants, as is the case on Chevron Island.

“They’re left all around the place here,” a Chevron Island cafe manager, who did not want to be named, said.

Bike station on Chevron Island. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I didn’t know about them until recently. It’s strange they don’t need to be returned to a dock.

“We actually had one sitting outside the cafe and our owner said ‘if it’s not gone in 15 minutes let’s move it.

“They’re a bit of an eyesore.”

How it works

— Download the Mobike app to locate the nearest bicycle

— Scan the code to unlock it and the helmet

— Ride it to your destination and park it responsibly

— Put the helmet back in the bike lock, lock the bike using the manual switch