Epic Fail really... Kind of a good concept...
www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/buyer-sought-for-melbournes-bike-scheme-20131204-2yqe5.html
Stupid decision overall though... Financially, it cost way too much. The bikes, and the Parking Stations cost a fortune to set up... Very average "value for money".
I wonder if there is a better technological solution... Such as a GPS tracker implanted into the frame... I don't know...
I recall stupid figures of $50M getting spent... to set it up...
My proposal... 
For $300k per year, you could employ 6 blokes in North Fitzroy to collect bikes, repair them, put "Melbourne" Stickers on them, implant the GPS device... Another $50k would cover 1 car and trailer. Another $50k on bike spares/repairs.
1 bloke scouts around for old bikes to repair. 1 bloke collects stray bikes, located by GPS. 2 blokes on the computer GPS system / IT. 2 blokes repairing bikes... All 6 blokes are multi skilled, and can repair bikes...
Smart Phone App tethers the rider to a hire bike. Payments made via Phone App... Annual Fee, or daily fee...
I don't know, would that work!? It would be a better / cheaper solution, surely!?
No need for smart "Bike Stations"... You just have dedicated "Bike Rack Locations" (Dumb old school bike racks.... cheap. Painted Blue to match the bikes...)... The smarts are in the GPS device and the Mobile Phone App... ???
Works just fine in many other big cities.
I remember something about advertising revenue from billboard space been given in return for setting them up been the standard set up in euro cities.
I love the Melb bikes. I think they are great value as a visitor to your city Simondo and I normally use them at least once a day when I am down there. Perhaps its the weather that is the issue
Its pretty well proven that push bike schemes are not viable with mandatory helmet laws.
Select to expand quoteGwendy said..
Its pretty well proven that push bike schemes are not viable with mandatory helmet laws.
IMO cycling around the streets of a city (unless dangerous) is by far and away the best way to see sights as a tourist or to get from A to B as a local. I cycle everywhere - to the city (18km commute) or just to the pub (2kms) - why would I walk?!
I have just got back from a trip to the States where we used the New York and Boston bike schemes extensively. We have done the same in many of the French cities.
I have never used the Melbourne bike scheme because when travelling there for business I don't take my helmet with me. It's that simple.
Have decent bike paths that these rental bikes have to go on (IE they shouldn't really go on open roads) then change the law to say people on these bikes don't need helmets... Just an idea.
100 % agree its the mandatory helmet wearing is what has caused the scheme to fail, a good percentage of people would use the bikes on the spur of the moment if they could literally jump on and ride.
There are hundreds of these bikes in racks all over Brisbane City but I have never seen anyone riding one.
When I was down in Melb a few months back there loads of helmets on the bikes. You could also buy one for $5 at several shops. Cities with rivers running through them are ideal for bikes as a tourist. When I lived in London I biked everywhere.
It doesn't matter if helmets are cheap or easily available, you shouldn't have to wear one to leisurely ride through a city. The bikes are not going to be used for long distance commutes along busy roads with high speed limits.
Get rid of mandatory helmet laws,, those who need then generally wear then anyway
