CityCycle hits Brisbane … or does it?

Oslo has it, Paris has it, Copenhagen has it, Melbourne has it … and now Brisbane has it. But does Brisbane really need it?

Brisbane City Council recently launched CityCycle - which when complete will offer 150 bike stations with bikes for hire.

I live in inner-city Brisbane, on the north side, and on my morning runs along the popular bike and river paths I have seen the bike stations open one-by-one  …always with bikes in them, but never people riding them.

On launch day (granted it was raining), there were many Council staff out at the bike stands willing to explain to anyone interested how they work ... yet it seemed from my table at the café while having breakfast no one was interested near New Farm shopping centre.

Except for one young mother who stopped to put her baby in the basket and have their photo taken.

I know it is early days, but some questions do come to mind.

If we’re going to encourage people to ride and cycle in our inner-city, shouldn’t we provide them with safer bike paths to replace the ones that are already congested?

If people can hire out a bike at their convenience, do they bring their own helmet? Or will they be for hire (not sure who wants to hire a sweaty helmet used by multiple people) 24/7 too?

Given the almost torrential, flood bearing rains of the past couple of weeks in Brisbane (which will undoubtedly follow with a scorcher drying period from the sun), how long will these bikes last uncovered in the city’s sub-tropical elements?

And finally, are these bikes meant for tourists and visitors to our city? If so, I’m not so sure many people will be visiting the back of Sol Breads bakery on little-known

Chermside Street

or indeed some of the inner-city suburbs of Brisbane. And if they are meant for residents, I think you’ll find people have their own bike to ride which is better suited to their height, weight, riding purposes and personality.

Brisbane residents will remember the redevelopment of

King George Square

(which seemed to go forever) that incorporates a city cycle centre. Not even a year ago, it was operating at half capacity.

Could it be that Brisbane is just not ready to become a cycle city? I guess time will tell.