Keep wheels turning
Call to continue bike share scheme
THE Gold Coast is fast becoming Australia’s capital for cycling after both residents and tourists embraced a bike share scheme.
Councillors have backed a recommendation to “go back to the market” for a new contractor after Mobike removes the last of its bicycles from the tourist strip next month.
A report to council reveals why a 12-month bike-share scheme trial was extended for a second year and needs to be continued after support from tourists and residents alike.
“Despite the failing of dockless bike-share schemes in other cities, the Gold Coast bike-share scheme has been a success,” the report said.
The reasons given were the street management of the scheme by the Transit Australia Group, and backing by businesses and the council by creating preferred parking locations with bike racks.
Promotion during the Commonwealth Games and racks placed in key locations meant the bikes were not dumped throughout the city.
“More than 90,000 people have registered to use the scheme with each bike being ridden on average twice a day,” the council report said.
Most of the bikes were placed around Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre at Southport, Robina Town Centre, Australia Fair and Harbour Town.
In April, Mobike signalled its plan to remove all bikeshare schemes from international markets, with the Coast operation to finish on June 16.
Councillors have debated the future use of the scheme as officers work with TAG to remove branded signs. The racks will remain for cyclists.
Council officers recommended the city “go back to the market in the latter half of 2019” to secure a new contractor.
The trials so far have not cost ratepayers and councillors are opposed to investing in fixed infrastructure, which could cost up to $3.5 million.
Council transport and infrastructure chair Pauline Young said she was confident the council would find a suitable replacement contractor.
“The Mobike trial was very, very successful,” Cr Young told the Bulletin. “They started with 200 bikes and got over 2000 bikes.
“It was well received in the city. Already we have requests from residents and visitors on what we are going to do moving forward.
“We like to think that hopefully in the next six months there’s another bikeshare program in our city.”
Cr Young said the Commonwealth Games had helped promote the scheme, but there were other factors to its success.
“It’s because we are a linear city and a flat city. For people to get off any public transport and get on to a bike, it was easy to locate,” she said.
“The bikes could be put in virtual stations. People could bring it up on their app and find the closest bike to ride it.”
Cr Young said the council received great reports from state schools.
“Mothers who had adopted the active transport program with their kids going to school were actually using the Mobikes to accompany them,” she said.