Phantom bike conspiracy resurrected
Image: A cycle way
The City of Sydney Council has again rejected claims that the City has been buying brand new pushbikes and placing them in strategic locations around Sydney in a bizarre bid to promote cycling.
The claims, first aired last month by City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas, involve the City purchasing brand new bicycles and chaining them to bike racks in inner city streets as a “soft promotional tool” to “normalise” cycling.
The claims have been revived after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society President Andrew Woodhouse revealed the City had purchased 18 new bicycles at a cost of $1,200 each. $21,600 in total has been spent on the bikes, most of which are the award-winning Breezer Uptown 8 commuter bicycles.
The revelation has prompted Ms Vithoulkas to pose new questions.
“Why are we spending $21,000 on purchasing new bikes?” she asked.
“Who are these bikes for?
Ms Vithoulkas raised the possibility that they were the part of the “secret” normalisation program she spoke of last month.
“And if they’re for Council staff, why are we spending ratepayers’ money so staff can enjoy free bikes?”
A City of Sydney spokesperson said the bikes were nothing more than a routine purchase to help employees do their jobs.
“Over the past three years the City of Sydney has built up a fleet of 18 bicycles for use by staff travelling to and from work engagements,” said the spokesperson.
“The bikes are part of the City’s fleet of vehicles which includes regular, hybrid and solar-powered cars.
“Providing staff with the option to use bikes is part of the City’s commitment to sustainable transport options and to reduce travel costs.”
The spokesperson said that when the bikes are not used, they are locked in parking facilities within Council sites – not left on public streets.
