TikTok Challenge: Destroyed KVB bikes not ready for use
Published: Thursday 09/15/2022 07:53
(GL|symbol image) Almost half a year after a TikTok challenge led to cases of vandalism at KVB, the company is still struggling with the effects. A third of the bicycle fleet is still not ready for use, said a KVB spokesman on Radio Cologne. The investigations of the public prosecutor’s office are not yet complete.
© Stefan Annemüller
KVB still has 1,000 wheels to repair. Every third wheel was damaged in such a way that it was not worth repairing, the KVB spokesman said. It is not yet clear when all KVB bikes will be available in the city area again. The owner of the bikes speaks of several hundred thousand euros, which cost him the damage and conversion to more stable locks.
A TikTok challenge in the spring led to the unprecedented series of vandalism. Locks were picked and destroyed. The Cologne public prosecutor is investigating. She says the 44 suspects identified were mostly children who could not be prosecuted, which is why investigations into almost all suspects were dropped. However, there will be a trial against a 14-year-old. However, because of embezzlement, he is said to have already used a cracked KVB wheel. The district court will hear in November.