Brisbane cyclists will be able to access free bicycles at 150 locations from St Lucia to Newstead in Australia’s first bike hire scheme, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said today.
The Lord Mayor today put pen to paper on a 20 year contract with JCDecaux for the installation, operation and maintenance of the innovative new bicycle scheme.
“This is an Australian first and an exciting new development for Brisbane,” he said.
“From March next year Brisbane residents and tourists will be able to access one of 2000 bikes, which will be accessible by swipe cards.”
Subscription to the scheme will cost $55 a year or $25 a quarter (casual users will pay $10 a day), with the first 30 minutes of use free.
Bike docking stations will operate 5am to 10pm every day of the year.
The Lord Mayor is spending a record $100 million on new bikeways this term. He said the bike hire scheme and the new shared cycleways would cement Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s most bicycle-friendly city.
JCDecaux were selected over two other bids after a thorough, six-month tender process.
“This is a great outcome that should see installation by the end of the year,” Cr Newman said.
“JCDecaux operates similar schemes in 16 countries, including the highly successful Paris scheme, which was one of the inspirations for doing it here in Brisbane.
“Brisbane will be the first city in Australia to deliver a public bicycle hire scheme with Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and even London following in our footsteps.”
Cr Newman said Council would work with JCDecaux to finalise the exact locations of the 150 stations and undertake the approval process.
“When this is all up and running, it will encourage more people in the CBD to undertake short trips by bicycle, bringing with it the benefits of reduced congestion and better personal heath,” Cr Newman said.
JCDecaux Australia CEO Steve O’Connor said the company was pleased to be chosen by Council to deliver the scheme.
“JCDecaux applauds Council’s vision to deliver to Brisbane commuters a world class self service bike system,” he said.
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Brisbane cyclists will be able to access free bicycles at 150 locations from St Lucia to Newstead in Australia’s first bike hire scheme, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said today.
