This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-45422065
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Crime-hit Mobike suspends Manchester sharing scheme | Crime-hit Mobike suspends Manchester sharing scheme |
(35 minutes later) | |
Bike sharing firm Mobike is to pull out of Manchester after losing 10% of its cycles each month to theft and vandalism. | Bike sharing firm Mobike is to pull out of Manchester after losing 10% of its cycles each month to theft and vandalism. |
The Chinese firm said too many had been stolen, dumped in canals and bins, had locks hacked off or been set on fire. | The Chinese firm said too many had been stolen, dumped in canals and bins, had locks hacked off or been set on fire. |
Manchester has become the only city among 200 worldwide to lose the service because of persistent crime. | Manchester has become the only city among 200 worldwide to lose the service because of persistent crime. |
Mobike said it had already "processed refunds" and would start removing its fleet imminently from the city streets. | Mobike said it had already "processed refunds" and would start removing its fleet imminently from the city streets. |
Mobike General Manager Jan Van der Ven said the company was "very grateful" to the city, which was the first in Europe to adopt the scheme last July. | |
'Throwing rocks' | 'Throwing rocks' |
However, he said: "As a private company, we have a duty to ensure our revenues cover our costs since, unlike some operators, we do not use taxpayer money to help balance our books. | However, he said: "As a private company, we have a duty to ensure our revenues cover our costs since, unlike some operators, we do not use taxpayer money to help balance our books. |
"Unfortunately the circumstances in Manchester have not made this possible." | "Unfortunately the circumstances in Manchester have not made this possible." |
He added: "We have all learnt valuable lessons that will help cities continue to make urban life more sustainable, more active and more healthy through cycling." | He added: "We have all learnt valuable lessons that will help cities continue to make urban life more sustainable, more active and more healthy through cycling." |
Greater Manchester cycling commissioner and former Tour de France rider Chris Boardman said: "This is disappointing news and an outcome that we've been preparing for. | |
"Anti-social behaviour is not a problem unique to Manchester, it has been encountered in other UK cities and other bike operators have found ways to deal with it." | |
The scheme operates along similar lines to London's "Boris bikes", with users paying a deposit to join the scheme and then a rate according to how long they use them. | The scheme operates along similar lines to London's "Boris bikes", with users paying a deposit to join the scheme and then a rate according to how long they use them. |
Unlike other cycle hire schemes, there are no fixed docking stations with users encouraged to "park responsibly" within the scheme's operating zone. | Unlike other cycle hire schemes, there are no fixed docking stations with users encouraged to "park responsibly" within the scheme's operating zone. |
Mobike had insisted its bikes were theft and vandal-proof but Greater Manchester Police received 17 reports in the first 10 days of the scheme. | Mobike had insisted its bikes were theft and vandal-proof but Greater Manchester Police received 17 reports in the first 10 days of the scheme. |
A gang in Ancoats, east Manchester, was filmed throwing rocks at a bike, trying to destroy it, while thieves would break locks and disable electronic tracking systems. | A gang in Ancoats, east Manchester, was filmed throwing rocks at a bike, trying to destroy it, while thieves would break locks and disable electronic tracking systems. |
In April the firm announced a price hike from 50p to 69p per half-hour in a bid to counter the damage. | In April the firm announced a price hike from 50p to 69p per half-hour in a bid to counter the damage. |
Mobike said it would conduct "a full review of its time in Manchester". | Mobike said it would conduct "a full review of its time in Manchester". |
The company said it would continue to operate in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Oxford and Cambridge. | The company said it would continue to operate in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Oxford and Cambridge. |
It had warned it could also withdraw from Newcastle but said the "threat to leave has gone" after a review. | It had warned it could also withdraw from Newcastle but said the "threat to leave has gone" after a review. |
"We're keen to sit down with the police and city council and try to work up a new plan to run things more effectively," a spokesman said. | "We're keen to sit down with the police and city council and try to work up a new plan to run things more effectively," a spokesman said. |
"We know the parts of the river where the bikes get thrown into; we have our truck driving down by the river twice a day." | "We know the parts of the river where the bikes get thrown into; we have our truck driving down by the river twice a day." |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Tom Mullen, BBC News | By Tom Mullen, BBC News |
Mobike's distinctive orange-rimmed cycles had become a familiar sight in Manchester, and the scheme was well-used. | Mobike's distinctive orange-rimmed cycles had become a familiar sight in Manchester, and the scheme was well-used. |
I clocked up more than 79 miles (128km) on the bikes, which I found handy for whizzing to the gym or shops, or even all the way to work. | I clocked up more than 79 miles (128km) on the bikes, which I found handy for whizzing to the gym or shops, or even all the way to work. |
But the bikes were obviously an easy target for vandals. The sight of stray bikes dumped by canals, broken or even set on fire was becoming more and more common. | But the bikes were obviously an easy target for vandals. The sight of stray bikes dumped by canals, broken or even set on fire was becoming more and more common. |
To combat this, Mobike began to shrink its operating area and ramp up fines for people who abused the service. But today's decision shows the company's losses had simply become unsustainable. | To combat this, Mobike began to shrink its operating area and ramp up fines for people who abused the service. But today's decision shows the company's losses had simply become unsustainable. |
With Mobike operating successfully in 200 cities around world, people are wondering why it couldn't work here. It's certainly not a great advert for Manchester. | With Mobike operating successfully in 200 cities around world, people are wondering why it couldn't work here. It's certainly not a great advert for Manchester. |
You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |