Nextbike is suspending its sharing scheme in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan after months of vandalism, thefts and threats to staff.
Nextbike’s UK managing director said the levels of vandalism seen in the Labour-run Cardiff is unlike anywhere else across the UK.
Since being introduced in 2018, more than 300 bikes have been stolen with 130 of them taken since August this year. Another 260 bikes have been scrapped due to damage caused by vandalism.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS, said, “It is sad to see these bikes, which are used by hundreds of people across Cardiff and the Vale every day, removed because of a thuggish minority.
“Schemes like nextbike are vital if we are to encourage people out of private cars and onto greener methods of transport to combat climate change, so this will come as a blow to our efforts.
“I appreciate these acts of vandalism are being carried out by a mindless few, but the fact nextbike has never seen this level of vandalism anywhere else in the UK doesn’t reflect well on the Labour-run city of Cardiff.
“Labour ministers should engage with city councillors, the police and crime commissioner and nextbike to see what can be done to tackle the problem, whether that be by installing more CCTV or improving street lighting around bike stations.”
