By Paul Homewood
h/t George Heraghty
From The Press & Journal:
Another ill thought out green scheme hits the buffers!
The Big Issue Ebikes started disappearing from many of their parking locations recently, with the app telling users there are ongoing “upgrades” being carried out.
But on Friday, Aberdeen City Council confirmed Big Issue Sharebikes’ intentions to pull out of the contract.
While the scheme’s future remains unclear, more than 100 of the red and white ebikes have been left sitting outside a unit in the Altens Industrial Estate.
The Press and Journal visited the unit just off Souter Head Road today and saw the rows of ebikes stacked outside.
Many of the ebikes were damaged, with some missing wheels, handlebars, or seats. Some of the ebikes were covered in a blue tarpaulin, while others lay scattered on the floor.
After knocking on the door, one man answered but could not give the P&J any answers about what was happening with the ebikes, or who to contact in the meantime.
The Big Issue Ebikes were launched in the Granite City in November 2022.
Although the initial roll-out was hindered by vandalism and the uptake was slow, it has attracted thousands of users since.
The initiative had 360 ebikes, with 200 in operation at 66 GPS-ringfenced parking spots around Aberdeen.
Just last November, the operations coordinator for the project told us there were around10,000 people actively using the ebikes, and they had finally become “part of the city”.
Both the Big Issue and Sharebike have been approached for comment, however, attempts to contact the Big Issue Ebike team have resulted in emails and phone calls bouncing back.
Many readers commented on ourFacebook postto say they weren’t surprised the scheme was being pulled and pointed the blame at vandalism.
Neil Hetherington said: “Not surprised, the way people have been vandalising them.
“People just cannot respect anything made available to them.”
Paul Wood commented: “The amount I see broken or mistreated, it’s unreal the cost of repairs, I would pull out as well…”
Nicola Cable wrote: “I have seen quite a few of them damaged or lying randomly about.”
Meanwhile, Will Del Mar Massie described the Altens unit where the ebikes are stored as a “literal graveyard”.
However, Malcolm Greig believes the scheme was pulled because of a “lack of use”.
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/transport/6405792/big-issue-ebikes-graveyard-outside-altens-unit/
Hiring out bikes to all and sundry without deposits or any other from of security was always inviting disaster.
