CatBikes Vandalised in Bridgetown

The new Catbike scheme has suffered a setback with bikes being vandalised in Weston Lane. South Hams District Council (SHDC) have now closed this hub in Bridgetown.

The scheme has been funded by a UK Government grant to help promote cycling in rural areas and is in partnership with Active Cycling Projects who run App-Bike. The Catbike scheme is a not-for-profit trial for up to three years.  The scheme is intending to set the pricing low to enable as many people as possible to access the e-bikes: currently set at £2 for half an hour or £10 for up to 6 hours. There is also a monthly membership for £5 a month. This membership makes the first 30 minutes of every ride free. Sadly damage of this nature may have an impact, potentially increasing the costs to users of the scheme that is intended for both day to day and leisure use. The project enables anyone to hire the electric bikes through a downloadable app. Full details are here: https://catbikes.commonplace.is/

Six bikes that are out of action due to damage. SHDC says the nature of the vandalism on heavy-duty bike bolts indicates it is targeted and premeditated. As this is the case, they have reluctantly closed the hub negatively affecting legitimate users in that area. They are now considering other potential locations in the Bridgetown area to install a new bike hub and would welcome suggestions through this ongoing consultation:https://catbikes.commonplace.is/

Totnes district councillor Cllr John Birch said. “I am very sorry that South Hams District Council has been left with no alternative but to close the Weston Lane hub for the Catbikes in Bridgetown due to continued damage to the bikes from mindless vandalism.  This is a great shame as it is the council’s most well used location, particularly for regular users of the electric bike scheme.

We have experienced multiple acts of vandalism at this location – this latest vandalism must have been undertaken by someone who set out to do damage as they were able to remove tamperproof bolts.  Four bikes are now out of action, but can be repaired when spare parts are obtained.

Unfortunately it does appear that this particular part of Weston Lane is not a good location as it lacks natural surveillance and lighting and so we are looking for other locations in Bridgetown through the  public consultation that is being carried out throughout Totnes.

The police have been notified and hopefully with the community’s help the culprit will be apprehended for this mindless act.“