Aucklanders will no longer be able to use public bikes as a transport alternative after the company that maintains them failed to attract enough advertising to keep them on the roads.
The company, Nextbike, started renting bikes from stations round the city in 2008, selling advertising space on each one as a way to fund the scheme, so that patrons could get the first half-hour's riding for free
The idea was hailed as a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to taking buses or cars for short trips.
However company director Julian Hulls says the firm has put its fleet of 170 bikes in storage after struggling to sell enough ads.
He is now looking at going into a partnership with the Auckland Council to get the bikes up and running again.
