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Oxford’s on-street bike share scheme Oxonbike has been closed. The council-backed scheme cited the arrival of dockless operators as one of the reasons for its closure. The scheme was operated by Hourbike, and was created in 2013 with founding operator, Grand Scheme bikes. Hourbike took over the running of the scheme in 2014.
Oxonbikes was a docked bike hire scheme – including electric bikes – and operated in Headington and Oxford.
Dockless operators Mobike and Ofo have been active in Oxford, and the university town also has hire schemes operated by Brompton Hire, Pony Bike, and Donkey Republic. Obike also operated in Oxford but pulled out at the beginning of the year.
"We are pleased to see the growth in shared bikes but unfortunately this has had an impact on usage levels of Oxonbike," said the firm.
"Together with other factors … we have come to the difficult decision to close the Oxonbike service with immediate effect."
