Home > News

Someone is deflating tires of Vancouver Bike Share bicycles and leaving super nasty notes

Mobi users are getting frustrated with their attempts to commute to work

An angry note left by someone at a Vancouver Bike Share Photo by: Julian Mentasti @Julian_Mentasti

Imagine showing up to grab your bike share to get to work, and the tires are flat. That’s what some users of Mobi, the Vancouver Bike Share program, have been discovering lately.

According to CTV news, a Mobi spokesperson confirmed that there have been 30 tires that have slashed this week in East Vancouver.

Mihai Cirstea posted a photo of note put up by bike share user. It asks whomever is vandalizing the bikes to stop. “Please stop taking the air out of the tires. I need these bikes to get to work.” It’s signed, “neighbour.”

The response to the note was less than polite.

“Too bad, so sad. Us motorists want our parking spots back bitch!” the response letter reads. “Your options: buy a car, buy your own bicycle, walk, take transit, join Evo.” (Evo is a car share program.)

Cristea expanded on the frustration felt by other cyclists on Twitter. “We’ve given drivers the expectation that they deserve free parking on public land for their private vehicles and this is one result.”

This golf club has asked to remove bike lanes so cars can park on road

Vancouver Green Party councillor Pete Fry added his thoughts on the matter as well.

“Ugh. This Mobi station is removing the need for up to 15 vehicles that might otherwise be jockeying for those very same free parking spots that this small-minded motorist feels entitled to,” Fry writes. “This reckless anti-bike campaign could result in real damage to the bike or cyclist!”

A spokesperson for the City of Vancouver said the city is aware of the problem. A police report has been filed. The bikes have been picked up to be repaired.