Petition launched to save Sheffield's yellow scan-and-go Ofo bikes

The yellow scan-and-go Ofo bikes were introduced in Sheffield in January this year

The firm, which operates the city's fleet of more than 1,000 bikes for hire, announced earlier this month that it was withdrawing from the city over the coming weeks to concentrate on other 'key' markets.

Emily Green has started an online petition calling on Ofo to reverse its decision and keep the bikes in Sheffield.

Yellow scan-and-go hireable bikes to withdraw from Sheffield

The petition, which is also addressed to Sheffield Council, states: "The yellow Ofo bikes are going to be removed from Sheffield. We’re sad about this and would like Ofo to reconsider the decision.

"Please take two minutes to sign and show solidarity for the lovely yellow bikes."

The petition was launched two weeks ago and has so far been signed by 80 people.

One of the signatories, Lilly Elbra, commented: "I am really going to miss them. They were my preferred transport home from work."

The dockless bikes were only introduced in Sheffield in January, and the following month Ofo announced they had proved so popular hundreds more were being brought into the city.

Ofo denied vandalism was behind its decision to leave Sheffield despite having only last month revealed it was bringing in the police, ex-armed forces and a 24/7 'rapid response' team to combat levels of vandalism 'far above' those in other cities.

Sheffield Green Party has called on the council to investigate why Ofo made the decision, with Councillor Douglas Johnson claiming it made the city look bad and saying 'the full details are unclear'.

Sheffield Council's ruling Labour group has said it will look at other dockless bike schemes to replace Ofo.

You can sign the petition at: www.change.org/p/ofo-save-sheffield-ofo-bikes.