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A new cycle hire scheme with hundreds of bikes has been launched for Newcastle .

Mobikes have been dotted around spots in Newcastle city centre ready for the public to hire from Tuesday.

The high-tech orange bikes can be picked up and dropped off anywhere within the designated area which covers the city centre, up to Arthurs Hill in the west, Chillingham Road to the east of the city and Jesmond Dene Road to the north of the city.

Users just need the app to unlock the bikes and go.

Here’s everything you need to know to get on your mobike in Newcastle ;

What are they?

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

High-tech, lightweight bikes fitted with GPS trackers which most importantly are dockless.

The orange and silver aluminium machines have non-puncture airless tyres, a GPS tracker, built-in locks and a cashless smartphone app.

The bikes are specially designed so that none of the pieces could be used on another bike to deter thieves.

Mobikes are designed to last 4 years with minimal maintenance and are urban bikes using the ‘pinnacle of technology’ designers say.

How does it work?

The bikes work through an app which can be used to find then unlock a bike.

All the bikes are fitted with GPS trackers so there locations appear on the map on the app. You can reserve the bike closest to you, go and collect it, unlock it with the app and ride it.

When you have finished the journey, just park up the bike and click lock it shut with the button on the bike.

How much does it cost? How many bikes will there be?

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

This week 400 bikes will be put in place in Newcastle with more and more put in place as the number of app uses grow.

Mobike plan to put 1,000 bikes in Newcastle in total.

Riders will be charged 50p for 30 minutes after paying an initial deposit.

Newcastle users will be able to pay a discounted £2 deposit until October 18. After that, they will pay £29 to sign up.

Where can I pick them up from/drop them off?

Pretty much anywhere you can park a bike in Newcastle.

The designated mobike area covers the city centre, up to Arthurs Hill in the west, Chillingham Road to the east of the city and Jesmond Dene Road to the north of the city and as long as the bikes are within the boundary they can be parked up and picked up from bike parks anywhere.

There will be 20 preferred locations on the Mobike app which will include;

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The Hancock Museum

Leazes Park Road

Ridley Place

Saville Row

Princess Square

The Laing Art Gallery

Eldon Square

The Cycle Hub on the Quayside

What happens if the bikes are taken out of the area?

The GPS trackers will alert Mobikes when the bikes are taken out of the area and there is a penalty system for people who leave them or park them outside of the designated areas.

Steve Pyer, UK general manager for Mobike said that the bikes are designed for short journeys and are not really meant to be taken on long journeys out of the area, however if a user is responsible and stays with the bike at all times it is out of the designated area before parking it back up in the area they shouldn’t receive a penalty.

Drivers will work from 6am to 10pm to go and pick up abandoned bikes or bikes which have been left outside of the area and bring them back to the preferred locations.

What about helmets?

Mobikes doesn’t provide helmets as they say it is impossible to create a helmet which will fit everyone, however they encourage people to use their own when riding a Mobike.

How do I get the app?

Search Mobike on the App Store for Apple and Google Play store for Android devices to download the free app and enter your card details to pay to ride.