Vélez-Málaga Council has been forced to suspend its bicycle loan scheme after less three months due to a combination of factors.
The bicycle loan scheme was initially delayed by six months pending the installation of security cameras at the various collection/return points, the authorities concerned about possible thefts or vandalism. However, the Council eventually decided to proceed with the project without the surveillance scheme.
In addition, it was also initially proposed to levy a €30 deposit for the bikes, but this was never introduced. The project, which cost €150,000, began with 100 bicycles being made available at several points in the municipality and around 3,000 people registered for the service.
The Council also contracted a company to take care of repairing tyres, cleaning the bikes and the distribution sites, the cost of this service being €1,500 per month. Unfortunately, although repairs were included in the contract, replacement parts were not.
The situation now is that 98 of the 100 bicycles are damaged and unusable and needing replacement parts, either through normal use or, in a large number of cases, through acts of vandalism. These machines are now locked up at the Local Police station.
As a result, the service has been suspended until a suitable solution can be found.