Nextbike Malta closes shop amid fierce competition, concerns about the infrastructure
Bike-sharing company Nextbike is closing its operations in Malta on Saturday, with the company stating that the country’s lack of proper urban cycling infrastructure and safety concerns on the roads played a part in its demise – along with fierce competition with alternative forms of transport.
Founded in 2004, Nextbike launched Malta’s first fully funded bike-sharing program in 2016, establishing Nextbike Malta Ltd as its subsidiary in Malta in the process.
However, the company acknowledged that it has endured fierce competition in recent years thanks to “the emergence of alternative micro-mobility systems, ride-hailing services and free public transport, all of which are elements crucial of multi-modal transport.”
But it also pointed out that riders were showing reluctance to use its services due to a lack of infrastructure suitable for urban bicycles and a general reduction in road safety. Another blow to the company’s fortunes in Malta was given by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as by “regular theft and vandalism”.
Despite this, Nextbike Malta emphasized that it was clear that there was greater potential for cycling in Malta, pointing out that its free bike learning program Bikeability was consistently oversubscribed, and that more than 600 people received his certification in process.
And she emphasized that a national bike-sharing program in Malta remained necessary.
“But the unit economy of these systems will not work unless the government actively encourages, promotes and provides incentives for people to use bicycles as a form of alternative transportation,” she argued.