Greater Manchester's cycle hire scheme is being scaled back after a spate of vandalism took most of the Bee Bikes off the road.
Around 800 of the 1,000 bikes which had been on the network are currently damaged or missing. Just 160 bikes were available to hire two weeks ago, but transport bosses are hoping this will rise to 500 by the end of August.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 bike stands across the city-region will temporarily close. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says this 40 pc reduction will increase availability of bikes at the stands which remain open.
They are introducing new locking rules and heavier fines when bikes not returned properly. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. It comes nearly five years after Mobikes were removed from the city due to vandalism and theft.
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