Bike sharing companies Reddy Go and Ofo cycle out of Sydney

Reddy Go and Ofo bikes will soon no longer be available in Sydney as the companies wind down their operations.

Ride sharing bikes at Waverley Oval, Bondi Road.

Source: SMH/ Lucie Billingsley

Two major share bicycle operators are quitting Sydney, with one reportedly giving bikes away to users for free.

The Australian newspaper reports Reddy Go, which claims to be the only wholly Australian-owned bike share company, informed its members the company was undergoing a restructure and said each user would be able to pick up two free bikes from its storage centre in Alexandria.

Chinese-founded company Ofo said it would end its bikes service in Sydney and Adelaide within the next 60 days to focus on other markets overseas, News Corp Australia reported.

Singapore-based oBike withdrew its yellow bikes from Melbourne streets earlier this month after a crackdown by the Environment Protection Authority. 

Since it shut down in Melbourne, many Victorian users have been unable to get their $69 deposit back after noticing that the option to request a refund through the app had disappeared.

While dockless bicycle schemes have proved popular in countries such as China, they've struggled in Australia due to helmet laws, vandalism of equipment and complaints about bikes being left in the wrong places. 


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