Aberdeen’s ebikes boss has hit out at “youth gangs” who allegedly destroyed bicycles that had been abandoned in Torry.
Last week, 200 ebikes arrived at 40 locations across the city after the project was created through a partnership with Big Issue and Norwegian bike hire company ShareBike.
They partnered with Aberdeen City Council to make the scheme, which seeks to provide public electric bicycle rentals and create employment opportunities for those in need at the same time, a reality in the city.
However, less than a week into the scheme many of the bikes have been vandalised, with it being revealed yesterday that police are investigating damage caused to them in Duthie Park after four of them were reported vandalised.
And it has now been revealed two “gangs” destroyed bikes in Torry on Friday.
Vandalism ‘biggest fear’ of Aberdeen project
Chief executive of BigIssue eBikes, Jan Endresen, who attended the launch last week in the Granite City, said that his “biggest fear” about the Aberdeen project was vandalism.
Earlier this year, Bristol launched the same scheme that is in Aberdeen, initially making 400 bikes available.
However, after just six months, only 200 were available due to constant vandalism taking place, resulting in the scheme being “paused” and is now operating a private, long-term rental instead.
Mr Endresen said: “We are sorry that a sustainable bike system that is meant to help the weakest in society is the victim of such vandalism.
“However, we have observations from last weekend, and particularly on Friday night, when two youth gangs destroyed a number of bicycles that were abandoned in Torry.
“We will work with the police to find the culprits and will report anyone caught destroying the bikes to the police.
“At the same time, we encourage everyone in Aberdeen to help us find bikes that have gone astray and report this to our social media or by email to support@bigissue.bike.”
A police spokeswoman said that inquiries are ongoing with regards to the Duthie Park incident.
However, she confirmed officers had not received reports of vandalism to ebikes in Torry.
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