On Friday, 2 December 2016, BYKKO commenced operation of Australia’s first, fully automated electric bikeshare ‘library’.

Supported by Newcastle City Council’s ‘Make Your Place’ program, the three electric bicycles are available free of charge to businesses and residents of the local community, providing valuable information for future public or private bike share systems for Newcastle.  Over 30 members (or BYKKERS) have registered for the trial and will be able to use the electric bikes via their smartphone.

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Nuatali Nelmes and Executive Director of Rethink Group, Cassandra Kavanaugh were the first to trial the bikes in a friendly race around the block, followed by BYKKER members who signed up to be part of the trial.

The BYKKO bike share station has been installed outside the Recharge Café, on the corner of Dick and Hall Streets Newcastle West and will provide the business and residential community with free access to electric bike sharing over the summer months.

Monica Zarafu, Founder and CEO of BYKKO said they were excited to be launching one of the world most advanced systems in bike sharing in Newcastle so people can see and experience it for themselves.

“Utilising cutting edge technology, BYKKO ‘reinvents the wheel’ with this new approach to one of the oldest modes of transport. Modular in design, utilising wireless communication and GPS tracking, coupled with intelligent control and management of the bikes, the opportunity for bike sharing systems is a must for the ’smart cities’ of Australia,” Monica said.

Electric bike sharing is already a global movement in cities like Berlin, Copenhagen, Milan, Madrid, Oslo and now, Newcastle has become the first Australian city to introduce this intelligent and innovative form of transport mobility.

During the trial, BYKKO electric bikes can be used to attend meetings, go shopping, head up to the beach or to get to and from where you need to go. The pedal-assisted e-bikes have a daily range of around 50km before they need recharging and the electric motor assists with speeds of up to 25km per hour, so you arrive at your destination refreshed and ready. They can also be used as pedal bikes, to combine your journey with your fitness regime.

IMAGE | Monica Zarafu at the finish line with Cassandra Kavanaugh and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes