Mobike rides the swell into Australia with surfboard racks and designated parking

Mobike tries to catch up with China arch-rival ofo by announcing it will launch in Australia in January 2018. The company will put around 2,000 bikes onto the streets around Gold Coast, Queensland, but the bikes will have to be left in designated areas.

The bikes have been designed for Australia with gears, a larger frame and larger wheels, according to a release from Mobike. The internal three-speed gears and 26-inch wheels will no doubt be more useful in the less urban landscapes of the Gold Coast region. Taking the adaptation to a whole other level, some of the bikes have racks that allow a surfboard to slotted alongside the bike.

To end a journey, the rider will have to cycle to a designating parking area (no details of number, location or capacity) before closing the locks.

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