Australia tries to solve its bike-sharing dumping problem

Singapore-based, dockless bike-sharing service oBike fished 42 bikes out of Melbourne's Yarra River in one day.

Suffice it to say, something has to be done about the high instances of bike-share dumping — and slowly but surely, local councils around the world are taking the lead.

SEE ALSO: Humans ruined bike-sharing in Singapore so now bikes need parking zones

Dockless bike-sharing services have become synonymous with large, unsightly piles of dumped bikes, or bikes left in unusual locations, up trees, in rivers, or just scattered haphazardly around city streets.

So, the City of Melbourne, City of Port Phillip and City of Yarra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with oBike, which is an attempt to create guidelines for the bike-sharing service's public responsibility.

Before we jump into the MOU, it's important to know that before now, oBike has literally not enforced any type of fine on people who have dumped their bikes. Even though they have your details. 

"We do have an oBike Credits System in place but as bike-sharing is in its infancy stage now, we believe that it takes time to cultivate gracious cycling behaviour. Hence, [a fine] has not been strongly enforced previously," oBike spokesperson
Chethan Sagar Mysore Rangaswamy told Mashable. 

"However, with the MOU in place, we will now take a more serious stance towards indiscriminate parking and will be looking to penalise the last users who parked irresponsibly."

Now, the MOU

Under the terms outlined in the MOU, the company is responsible for ensuring that oBikes do not obstruct footpath access, are parked upright at all times, are not parked on steps, ramps or other areas that provide directional assistance to the vision impaired, are parked away from roadside curbs and are not parked on traffic islands or against trees, buildings, light poles or street furniture.

The MOU also stipulates that dangerously placed oBikes be relocated within two hours, any inappropriately placed oBikes be relocated within 48 hours, and any oBikes reported as faulty, damaged or unsafe are immediately removed from service.

Combatting the pile-up situation, excessive numbers of oBikes at a single location must be relocated within 24 hours, and that bike locations must be monitored regularly to avoid and manage potential breaches of the agreement.

Image: obike

If oBike fails to comply with the MOU, oBikes can be confiscated and impounded, only to be released for $50 per bike.

The three Melbourne councils will seek MOUs with any other bike-sharing company that wishes to launch in the city — and of course, there's a bunch looking, with China heavyweight Ofo launching in Adelaide already.

“The signing of the MOU is a step in the right direction for sustainable transport options like oBike and a safer, clutter-free environment for bike users and pedestrians," said City of Melbourne Transport Portfolio Chair Cr Nicolas Frances Gilley.

"It means oBike and the three municipal councils are on the same page when it comes to expectations, roles and responsibilities."

Singapore has recently enforced their own rules, making all dockless bike-sharing companies put geo-fencing technology in their bikes, to ensure that people park their bikes back at "designated parking zones" — basically, a virtual dock.

Hopefully, rivers won't see as many two-wheeled fish from now on.

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