Mobike steers its expansion plans into Gateshead

Today (June 20), Mobike, the world’s largest smart bikeshare company, has announced it will be expanding its existing Newcastle scheme to cover Gateshead.

The company will be adding 200 bikes to its existing scheme, before expanding the number of bikes progressively, based on demand and popularity of the scheme.

Founded in 2016, Mobike is a pioneer in dockless bikesharing, a model designed to improve urban mobility and reduce pollution by encouraging people to cycle more - particularly for short distances - instead of using cars.

Lindsay Coulthard, operations manager in Newcastle for Mobike UK, said: “It’s really exciting to be growing our presence in the region, and another testament that our bikes are more and more wanted in the UK.

“Our Mobikers will now be able to travel much more easily between Newcastle and Gateshead, which should encourage more people to get cycling, especially as summer is coming.

“We’re also just in time for the Great Exhibition of the North, and we hope that attendees won’t hesitate to use a Mobike in between performances!”

Mobike worked closely with Gateshead Council to ensure the scheme fits into the existing infrastructure. It hopes the launch will benefit those attending the Great Exhibition of the North, which will be the largest event in England for the year, and will begin on June 22.

Founded in 2016, Mobike aims to improve urban mobility and reduce pollution by encouraging people to cycle more - particularly for short distances.

Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for environment and transport (and apparently a keen cyclist) mentioned: “We are delighted to welcome Mobikes to Gateshead.

“In fact, they are already a regular sight in Gateshead so there’s clearly an unmet demand for the service. We are sure they will offer visitors the perfect way to travel to and from some of the great events we have planned this summer on Tyneside.

“Bike sharing is relatively new in this area, but people will quickly learn that using and parking the bikes responsibly keeps the system running for everyone as a healthy and sustainable way of getting around.”

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