ABERDEEN’S Ebike operater has confirmed that it has pulled out of the rental scheme in Aberdeen.
The bikes were launched in the Granite City in November 2022 and, after some early problems with vandalism, quickly attracted thousand of users.
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A year after their launch, the projects coordinator told the Press & Journal that around 10,000 were actively using them around Aberdeen.
By that time, there was nearly 260 bikes in Aberdeen with 66 parking stations.
But Big Issue Sharebike now wants out, with an Aberdeen City Council spokesperson confirming the authority was informed of the operator’s wish to pull out of the contract.
“The council understands it was part of a decision made by Sharebike, a Norwegian-based company, to withdraw from the UK market and not a reflection of the Aberdeen scheme which has been operating well,” they add.
A ‘graveyard’ has been spotted outside an Altens unit where hundreds of the bikes lie.
Is that it for Ebikes in Aberdeen?
The red and white Big Issue bikes won’t be spotted on the roads anytime soon, even if some remain dotted about pavements in the city.
But the council confirmed they are looking for a new private company to take over the contract.