The official licence for bike share company, Airbike to operate its dockless bike service in the city and surrounds has been extended for 12 months to 30 April 2020.
Announcing the extension, Minister for Transport, Meegan Fitzharris said it would ensure there was no break in the bike share services for the community while the longer term position on shared mobility was considered.
“Airbike has permission to gradually increase the fleet from 200 to 400 dockless bikes in small, controlled batches and e-bikes will be considered in the expansion,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“The bikes will continue to be released within the operational zone in central Canberra, including the Australian National University (ANU), the Civic Centre and the Parliamentary Zone.”
She said that on the 31 July 2018, the ACT Government, the ANU and the National Capital Authority began a six-month trial of dockless bike share with Airbike.
“The trial partners worked cooperatively to develop simple, clear rules and expectations to manage public safety and amenity,” she said.
“The trial was launched at a time when the public were concerned about dockless bike share due to reports of share bikes being vandalised in other jurisdictions in Australia and cities around the world, which is why the bikes were released in small numbers and in controlled locations.”
Ms Fitzharris said that within the six-month trial, the bikes were well used, with the highest usage between Civic and the ANU and Braddon.
“Damage to the bikes was minimal and early initial complaints about ‘abandoned’ bikes diminished as the community became accustomed to share bikes positioned around the city,” she said.
“Airbike exceeded expectations, responding to all urgent requests for removal of bikes within an average of 23 minutes and non-urgent reports within 24 hours.”
She said the trial had demonstrated that bike share could be successful when the parties worked together and showcased Canberra as an innovative, bicycle-friendly city that valued good health, community and environmental outcomes.
