A "world-first" bicycle sharing network has launched in Bendigo for its trial period.
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The CyclePort system, developed by Al Reid and Phil Aarons, allows for bicycles of all varieties to be safely shared when fitted with their signature "smartpeg".
Mr Reid said Bendigo benefits from the CyclePort system in a number of ways, for both workers and tourists.
"If there were a bank of these at the train station, maybe a tourist could get an integrated ticket that gets you on the train and also a bike when you get here," he said.
"The system works on a number of levels. We provide the open hardware and software platform that allows it, but we don't dictate how people use it, that's up to the people who buy the system."
Mr Reid and Mr Aarons chose Bendigo to trial their system as the entire town is governed by the one local council, as opposed to a big city like Melbourne.
They hope the system's performance in Bendigo could spur an eventual international expansion.
"We want to show the world, we think this has global application, especially in Europe," Mr Reid said.
"Places like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, which are the bike capitals, a system like this would completely solve their problem with bike parking which is out of control at the moment.
"While it's a trial in Bendigo, we hope that this generates global publicity."