Local Transport Today is the authoritative, independent journal for transport decision makers. Analysis, Comment & News on Transport Policy, Planning, Finance and Delivery since 1989.

Mobike chooses Manchester for dockless bike hire pilot

23 June 2017
Mobike: first venture outside Asia
Mobike: first venture outside Asia

 

A dockless public bike hire system is to be piloted in Manchester.

Chinese firm Mobike will provide 1,000 bikes in the six-month pilot scheme covers central Manchester and Salford. It is due to launch at the end of this month. 

Mobike’s first scheme was launched in Shanghai last April and the company now operates in 100 cities across Singapore and China. The Manchester/

Salford trial is its first operation outside Asia. 

An app enables users to locate a bike using inbuilt GPS mapping and unlock it automatically by scanning a QR code on the bike.

Bikes can be picked up/ dropped off at any convenient legal cycle parking location, rather than at dedicated docking stations.

Welcoming the trial, Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, said: “This scheme could help make cycling more accessible to people, but it is an untested idea in the UK and we will need to keep this under review.

“We’re conscious that our city centre is a complex and busy area already, so Transport for Greater Manchester has been working hard to establish a voluntary code of working with Mobike to make sure the service operates in a way that doesn’t inconvenience other road users, pedestrians or city centre traders.”

Journeys are charged per 30-minute period.

The bikes will initially be available at sites such as railway stations and university campuses. Mobike will use usage data analysis to redistribute them on an ongoing basis to meet  demand.

The pilot will not be publicly funded or subsidised.

Steve Pyer, general manager of Mobike UK, added: “Our aim is to be responsible, sustainable and innovative. We’re confident that Manchester and Salford and their residents will immediately see the benefits of our services, and the cities will become a showcase for the urban transformation that is possible when cycling usage rises, and city planning leverages smart data.

“We are already in talks with a number of other cities around Europe, and are sure the successful pilot will be the first of many partnerships, allowing us to make cycling the most convenient and affordable choice for those in cities all around Europe.”

Rival Chinese firm Ofo  launched a three-week dockless bike hire trial in Cambridge at the end of April.

Works Supervisor
Transport for London
Croydon, London Trams Depot
£36,000 - £39,638
Team Leader Transport
Slough Borough Council
Slough – Observatory House
£44,428 to £49,498 plus £7,000 market supplement; Local Weighting Allowance of £1039 per annum
PTU Team Manager
Luton Borough Council
Luton
£50,512 - £53,584 a year plus £3,203 car benefit allowance pro rata
View all Vacancies
 
Search
 
 
 

TransportXtra is part of Landor LINKS

© 2024 TransportXtra | Landor LINKS Ltd | All Rights Reserved

Subscriptions, Magazines & Online Access Enquires
[Frequently Asked Questions]
Email: subs.ltt@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7959

Shop & Accounts Enquires
Email: accounts@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7855

Advertising Sales & Recruitment Enquires
Email: daniel@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7861

Events & Conference Enquires
Email: conferences@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7865

Press Releases & Editorial Enquires
Email: info@transportxtra.com | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7875

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Advertise

Web design london by Brainiac Media 2020