Nextbike's temporary removal all their bikes in Cardiff due to months of vandalism, thefts and threats to staff has shocked Cardiff.
The UK bike sharing company announced on Wednesday that it is suspending the scheme until next year after more than 300 bikes were stolen and another 260 had to be scrapped due to vandalism.
Despite the company having similar schemes across the UK, Nextbike's managing director, Krysia Solheim, said the amount of vandalism and theft was "staggering" and not something seen anywhere else in the UK.
Read more: The huge mountain of damaged nextbikes 'dumped' outside Cardiff Castle to highlight vandalism
Viewers were shocked after a Facebook Live broadcast by WalesOnline on Tuesday morning showed the extent of damage to hundreds of Nextbikes piled in to a huge mountain outside Cardiff Castle.
June Hawker commented: "How can the people who damage these bikes actually turn on themselves? The bikes are a brilliant idea - why destroy things that give pleasure and freedom?"
Robert Bunston said: "There is no respect. That is just so unnecessary for a scheme to help and make the city more accessible for tourists and citizens alike, to be abused like this.
"It's a embarrassing scene to the city of Cardiff. Shame on them that have brought this on Cardiff."
Anita Maria James said: "We go litter picking and we see and report so many of the bikes. It's very heart-breaking."
Many people cited a lack of punishment options being a possible cause of the issue, with Richard Mills commenting: "Why are there so many vandals in Wales? The courts need to get tough and we need more cameras and police!"
But many say the problem comes with not exploring why these people are vandalising the bikes.
Frank Westall commented: "Blaming the police for this is like blaming the doctors because people choose to abuse their own bodies.
"It’s the thieves and vandals alone who bear the responsibility for this shameful situation - shameful that this is happening in Wales."
People also took to Twitter to discuss the news.
Georgina Thomas tweeted: "It's such a shame that the mindless few should spoil for the responsible and appreciative members of society. When these bikes arrived on the scene, I did wonder how long it would be before this happened."
John Britton, a university administrator who works in Cardiff, says there is going to be a percentage of vandalism in every city and it just needs to be 'factored in'.
He said: "I'm disappointed about today's announcement because earlier this year, they were talking about e-bikes giving people who are unfit or struggling with health an easier opportunity to cycle. What they are announcing today is the complete opposite of that."
John admits the vandalism of Nextbikes is a huge problem.
He said: "The scheme has never really worked properly because the app tells you there are bikes at the stand and then you turn up and they have all been vandalised. I would say that happened probably about 50% of the time I tried to use the bikes.
"So you end up going to the next stand to hopefully try get one and it's a similar situation. I've ended up running across Cardiff because by that time, I'm late to get somewhere because you can't rely on the bikes for transport unfortunately."
Alex Rees, 37, is a cyclist from Adamsdown.
He said: "I don't doubt that vandalism is a real issue, or people are stealing the bikes by locking them in sheds and houses.
"I just think there's more to it. I'm pretty sure Transport for London contribute something like £10 million annually to their bike sharing scheme so I wonder how much of the funding for the Cardiff scheme comes from the council."
On Twitter, one user said: "Every other city council have given considerable support to the scheme and assisted in security. Nextbike have been very vocal in asking for similar support from Cardiff but the council here haven't been forthcoming. They're relying on volunteers to do all the work."
But Cardiff councillor and cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, Caro Wild hit back replying: "C’mon. This is pretty much entirely incorrect. The council has worked alongside Nextbike from the very start and provides significant financial and staffing support."
What do you think about the move? Let us know in the comments below
In March, the company revealed that dozens of bikes and stations have been attacked since the start of the year and called on Cardiff residents to be "vigilant".
On average, more than two bikes a day were damaged or stolen between January 12 and February 18, with front and rear lights, advertising panels, baskets and kickstands often targeted, and South Wales Police had made 20 arrests.
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.”
When asked to comment about the pause of the service, the OVO bike team said: "Starting on the 15th of November, OVO Bikes service will be temporarily suspended in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan and bikes will not be available again until the new year.
"We don’t take this painful step lightly. As many of you have noticed, a wave of vandalism and theft has hit the fleet hard over the past year, and despite our best efforts, it has left hundreds of bikes either damaged, destroyed or even underwater.
"We don’t intend to let that hold us back! It does, however, mean we need to pause service to address the problem and reinforce our bikes so that we can provide a reliable bike sharing experience that meets our standards and gets you a bike when and where you need it.
"We know that bike sharing is much more than just a service, it’s a way of life. It’s your way to work, your vehicle for coffee dates and appointments, your trusty companion for a little weekend sport and travel, and much more.
"It’s with this urgency that we will work hard together with our partners and the community to quickly bring the fleet back better and stronger in the new year."
A spokesman for Cardiff council, said: “The council is glad that Nextbike has made a commitment to return to the city as soon as possible and we have been working with them closely since the scheme started in Cardiff.
“Vandalism of rental bikes is a problem across the UK. Schemes in Manchester and Edinburgh have been permanently removed and the scheme in Enfield was also suspended for similar problems.
“The temporary suspension of Nextbike in Cardiff will allow the council and Nextbike to carry out a full review and give time to put additional safeguards in place to deter vandalism and theft.
“The scheme is clearly valued by the majority of residents and it has helped revolutionise cycling options across the city with more than 136,000 customers in both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan clocking up more than 1.2 million rentals since it launched.
“It is completely unacceptable that a small number of people acting without care or concern for others could see this scheme closed down. We don’t want this to happen, and we know Nextbike and the majority of residents don’t want this to happen either.
“Nextbike will return in the New Year. Additional safeguards will be put in place, and when the bikes are back on-street we want to work with the public so they become the on-street, eyes and ears of the scheme, ready to report vandalism so that action can be taken against those who seem intent on destroying it.”
The council has assisted with the collection of abandoned bikes across the city and Nextbike was supported financially during the Covid pandemic with grant funding from Welsh Government.
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