Yarra River cleared of controversial oBikes

MORE than 40 oBikes have been fished out of the Yarra in the latest chapter of misadventure for the controversial share bikes.

MORE than 40 oBikes have been fished out of the Yarra River in Melbourne’s CBD, in the latest chapter of misadventure for the controversial share bikes.

A contractor for oBike Australia recovered the dumped bikes from the river, mostly sunk between Charles Grimes Bridge and Kings Bridge.

Parks Victoria’s acting district manager of waterways Lucy Nicholson said a meeting was held with oBike management and asked them to remove the cycles.

Read more : oBikes left in some crazy places

Uber for bikes comes to Melbourne

“We want a safe and accessible waterway and asked them to be removed,’’ Ms Nicholson said.

Chethan Rangaswamy, marketing head of oBike Australia, said it was annoying that users had treated the bikes so badly and had thrown them into the river.

A group of oBikes confiscated in Elizabeth St.

Users make the most of the opportunity to drop off oBikes off anywhere. Picture : Ian Currie

He said that after talks with Parks Victoria, there was now a process in place to clear the Yarra when necessary.

The company was also working to remove the dockless bikes that were not parked properly, he said.

“We are trying to raise awareness and we do believe we can change the mindset but it’s a slow process,’’ Mr Rangaswamy said.

Use of the bikes was increasing as the weather warmed up, he said.

The company was also sponsoring Ride to Work Day in Melbourne on October 18.

oBikes are recovered from the Yarra River. Pic: oBike Australia

Melbourne, Yarra and Port Phillip councils are in discussions

with oBike Australia working on a memorandum of understanding which would set guidelines for the operation of the bikes in central Melbourne.

How are those O Bikes going? #yarra pic.twitter.com/hlCxUDm4At

— Cameron Schwab (@CamSchwab) September 26, 2017

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has described the bikes as “urban clutter” but stopped short of banning them.

The state’s Environment Protection Authority has also called for a meeting with oBike bosses next week.

The Singapore-based company launched in Melbourne in June, mostly in the CBD but users have taken them to most inner-city suburbs.

Bike-friendly Amsterdam has banned the dockless bikes because they were taking up valuable space for parking.

@IanRoyall

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