Nextbike (New Zealand)

Nextbike was a bicycle rental scheme in New Zealand, franchised from the German Nextbike company. It operated in the CBD and central suburbs of Auckland from 2008 to 2010. Due to lack of sufficient advertising revenue, the company ceased operations in that year after failing to win emergency funding from the new Auckland Council. However, it is expected to make a bid for a newly tendered contract by Council to provide a public bike rental scheme, as the bikes of the scheme are still present in storage.[1]

The bikes at a rental station in the Auckland CBD.

History

As of 2009, the bike fleet had grown from 70 to 170.[2] The company notes that during summer, bikes were being ridden about three hours a day, which was higher than the use rate in some European schemes. To encourage use, registered riders also received 30 minutes free use each day.[3]

Unlike some much larger overseas schemes, the rental system has been implemented privately (financed by a combination of rental fees and advertising on the bikes) though it has recently won official sponsorship from the Auckland Regional Transport Authority.[4] It has also been tipped as a method of travel for visiting tourists at the Rugby World Cup 2011.[2]

The company was also involved in promoting three potential 'Great Urban Rides' routes in Auckland, aimed at marketing interesting and convenient bicycle tour routes to tourists and locals,[5] in a city which is often considered to be unattractive to cycling.

See also

References
  1. Dearnaley, Mathew (19 January 2011). "Agency seeks substitute for NextBike's shelved hire fleet". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. Dearnaley, Mathew (17 July 2009). "Rental bike scheme an option for World Cup". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  3. Smith, Janie (4 November 2009). "Take a free ride on Nextbike". Central Leader. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  4. ARTA supports cycling Aucklanders w/ Nextbike (Press Release: ARTA, via 'scoop.co.nz', Wednesday, 7 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-14.)
  5. Dearnaley, Mathew (4 September 2009). "'Urban rides' excite planners". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
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