Catalyst for change or community menace? What’s next for Australia’s e-bike revolution

Dr Elliot Fishman, who did a PhD in shared e-bike schemes, compared ones in Australia with eight others around the world. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian

It all started with 100 blue bicycles. Fifteen years ago, Australia’s first public bike hire scheme launched in Melbourne to considerable fanfare.

Four months later, Brisbane followed suit, partnering with multinational advertising company JCDecaux and a fleet of 2,000 yellow bikes emblazoned with Lipton Ice Tea logos.