Cyclists offered reward to report bad bike parking

MANCHESTER’S new bike-sharing scheme will reward users if they dob in other cyclists for poor parking – and see them handed penalties if they break strict rules.

Anticipation is growing for Mobike, the dockless, app-based service which will launch in Manchester and Salford today.

Bosses, who are keen to get commuters set up and whizzing through the streets, say ‘good etiquette’ will be rewarded.

But they’re warning people that ‘misuse and inappropriate behaviour’ won’t be tolerated. The bikes will be run on a stringent rewards-based system. Users will be able to win or lose ‘credits’ depending on their behaviour.

Good behaviour, like reporting other users for bad parking - by taking and uploading pictures earns you points. They could equate to free rides or lower prices.

Poor behaviour - including bad parking or ‘abandoning the bike when intercepted by police’ - will result in a reduction in credit.

You are given 100 credits when you first sign up. You can go up to 10,000.

If your score drops to 80 or below, you’ll face a bill of £100 for 30 minutes’ use. That’s 200 times the usual 50p price. You could even find you are frozen out of your account should you hit zero.

Users will be able to appeal credit deductions through an icon on the app. They will need to provide ‘supporting evidence.’

A spokesman said: “Mobike’s mission is to provide an economical, environmentally friendly mode of transportation using innovation and technology.

“To achieve our mission, we encourage proper usage and do not tolerate misuse and inappropriate behaviour. We strongly recommend you to adhere to our bike usage terms and guidelines.”

GOOD PLACES TO PARK Mobike ‘preferred locations’ Public bicycle racks near train stations/bus stops Public bicycle racks or stands

BAD PLACES TO PARK On private property Inside a building or in a car park In a location which obstructs traffic In a location which blocks a right of way