Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly fears dozens of corroding oBikes fished out of the Yarra are polluting the river

A HAUL of 76 oBikes have been fished out of the Yarra, sparking fears that the decaying bikes are slowly polluting the river.

A HAUL of 76 oBikes have been fished out of the Yarra, sparking fears that the decaying bikes are slowly polluting the river.

Most of the share bikes were retrieved from the river between Swan St and Hawthorn, many being submerged for several months.

OBIKES FISHED FROM THE RIVER

SHARE BIKES LEFT IN STRANGE PLACES

Users had taken to throwing the cycles into the water after use since they arrived in Melbourne last July.

OBike Australia had previously hired a contractor to pluck dozens of bikes further downstream in the city in September and November.

Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly said the bikes were recovered during the Yarra River Blitz project with the Clean Water Group and Ocean Crusaders.

“It was a real shock. I didn’t expect to see this many bikes,’’ Mr Kelly said.

Some of the oBikes retrieved from the Yarra by the Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly and his team. Pic: Yarra Riverkeeper

“They are a hazard and they are now breaking down and toxins from the metal, paint and rubber are being released into the water.’’

A few regular bikes were also retrieved.

Some of the oBikes retrieved from the Yarra have been submerged for many months. Pic: Yarra Riverkeeper

“It (the haul of 76 bikes) is the biggest thing we’ve ever pulled out of the river,’’ Mr Kelly said.

Most of the bikes are now unusable and are expected to be pulled apart for scrap metal.

[e-mail]

@IanRoyall