Nextbikes on hold after vandalism, thefts and threats
ABIKE-SHARING company is removing its bikes from the streets of Cardiff after what it calls months of vandalism, thefts and threats to staff.
Nextbike says it is suspending the scheme until next year after more than 300 bikes have been stolen and another 260 have had to be scrapped because of vandalism – and is warning the scheme could be permanently closed.
It is the first time the company, which has similar schemes across the UK, has had to suspend its operation because of thefts and vandalism.
Krysia Solheim, managing director at Nextbike UK Ltd, said: “The amount of vandalism and theft that we have seen is simply staggering and not something we’ve experienced to the same extent anywhere else in the UK.
“Our teams simply cannot keep up with the level of damage and theft being carried out.
“We are seeing all kinds of damage. We have had bikes that have been set on fire, that have been dumped in rivers, that have been snapped in half, and it has been a tough situation for our team on the ground.
“We have also seen an increase in hostility against our staff on the ground, and it is creating an unsafe environment.
“We need to regroup and make sure we have measures in place so we can handle everything that is going on.”
She added that it would take six to eight weeks of planning and repairing bikes and they hoped to be back early in the new year.
Options being looked at include putting cameras on teams and making sure stations are robust and in places “that are safe.”
Nextbike is the world’s most extensive bike-share provider with more than 150 projects across four continents, but this is the first time in the UK they have had to suspend the scheme because of vandalism. Its Cardiff fleet was launched in 2018 to provide affordable transport across the city and since then, combined with the Vale of Glamorgan fleet which launched in 2020, the scheme has attracted almost 136,000 customers who have clocked up more than 1.2 million rentals across the city.
“This is the only time we have had to suspend a scheme like this,” Ms Solheim said. “That is what is so heartbreaking.
“We have so much usage even though we have a reduced number of bikes on streets.
“If it continues there is the risk we could have to close it down, but we are working with the councils, police and our sponsors and are committed to relaunching the scheme because we know how vital it is to our customers.”
In March, the company revealed that dozens of bikes and stations have been attacked since the start of the year and called on Cardiff residents to be “vigilant”.
On average, more than two bikes a day were damaged or stolen between January 12 and February 18, with front and rear lights, advertising panels, baskets and kickstands often targeted, and South Wales Police made 20 arrests.
Inspector Darren Grady, from South Wales Police, said: “Nextbike is an excellent facility.
“The minority who steal or vandalise these bikes ruin the facility for others and we are committed to working with nextbike and the local authority to continue clamping down on this behaviour.
“Abuse of nextbike employees, theft and vandalism will not be tolerated.
“We look forward to seeing the bikes back on the streets soon.”