It's with heavy hearts that we need to inform you that as of today, 10th November, we are suspending Auckland's public bike service. After 3 years of running the operation as an advertiser funded service, we've come to a point where we can no longer sustain the business in its current format. The last of your Nextbikes will be coming off the streets today.
We are working hard to save public bikes for Auckland and need your help now. To save the service we need your support, feedback, thoughts and ideas at our Facebook Page - Nextbike Rider. With the current change in the cities administration, the focus on improving public transport and making Auckland the most livable city in the world, we're looking to next year with optimism. For the future Nextbike needs to be structured in a different way. Please watch this space and we'll keep you posted of any significant developments.
While we're genuinely saddened to bring you this news it's not without its positives. Nextbikes was the southern hemispheres first public bike scheme and the only scheme globally to provide helmets with the bicycles. We now have 2500 members, up from almost 900 in October 2009. We operated from 55 locations around Auckland. Over 50% of all Nextbike rides have been provided FREE to Aucklanders as short trip A-B public transport trips. Over 85% of our members are from Auckland, 92% from New Zealand, so Kiwis are ready for public bikes. In the time Nextbikes have been on the streets public bikes systems around the world have grown from 17 cities to over 201 cities to date.
So finally, Nextbike Riders we thank you for your excellent support of our much loved service. We've had some amazing feedback and encouragement from our Rider base, at times its definitely helped us pull through some tough patches. Nextbike is a service for the people and from a Rider perspective the people have made Nextbike a great success.
From the Nextbike team this is farewell, though hopefully not the end. On your bike Auckland!
Comments
Losing the plot
"While we're genuinely saddened to bring you this news it's not without its positives. Nextbikes was the southern hemispheres first public bike scheme and the only scheme globally to provide helmets with the bicycles."
Given the only other schemes were helmets are required have been far less successful than those in areas where cycling is not discriminated against and enjoys lower accident rates describing the provision of helmets as a positive is a contradiction.
Wake up folks, NZ is seen worldwide as the example NOT to follow.