It's images like this which have made people wonder whether Manchester is ready for Mobike.

A month ago, the Chinese bike rental firm brought a thousand bikes to the city centre to kickstart our first shared cycling scheme.

At least 50 of them have already been vandalised.

The bikes can be left anywhere and located through an app but their sudden appearance on the streets of Manchester has caused some problems. Bikes have been abandoned, targeted by thieves and even thrown in the canal.

But Mobike is undeterred - their UK boss Steve Pyer insists they are being used properly and the scheme is here to stay beyond the six month trial, if wanted.

However the mindless vandalism raises the inevitable question - is Manchester really ready for Mobike?

The city is at the beginning of a long road when it comes to embracing a true cycling culture - just ask the experts.

Ruth Oldenziel, who knows all about Manchester’s cycling history, says Mancunians need to radically shift their mindsets to truly become a cycling city. Only when cycling is a part of a culture, she argues, will bikes be universally respected.

To achieve this, we need to invest ‘at least’ £20m a year in infrastructure and city centre parking costs need to rise, she says.

Meanwhile, cycling groups have been vocal about their wish list in terms of better cycle paths - and while the new cycling ‘boulevard’ on Oxford Road proves it can be done it’s a drop in the ocean when you look at the rest of the region.

Manchester has a steep hill to climb - and perhaps Mobike could help us begin that journey.

Martiyn van Es of the Cyclists Union of Holland concedes Manchester is ‘40 years behind’ true cycling cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen - but he says the bike share scheme could actually begin to shift our view.

Perhaps, he says, if we start to see bikes around us we’ll be more accepting of taxpayer cash being spent on better infrastructure.

And Nick Hubble of Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign, says bike vandalism isn’t a uniquely Mancunian problem.

In Bristol, for example, home to a different bike share scheme, they have banned their use in certain areas to curb misuse.

He reckons we should be concerned about the irresponsible minority - but cautions against being ‘alarmist’.

He added: “Vandals are in the minority, legitimate use is high and it’s early days.

“It really is proving popular. From what I understand, Mobike will have factored in a certain amount of vandalism.

“It’s an inevitable level of vandalism. Ultimately it will come down to whether Mobike can still afford to run the scheme - if that factors into their business model the scheme can proceed.

"It’s also a question of our social issues. But it’s early days and I’m optimistic. Most are being used legitimately, there are higher levels of use than were expected.”

It’s worth noting too, that although vandalism here is proving more of a problem than in China - where more than 100 cities have embraced the service - they also have a more strict policing system. And there have still been reports of bikes being discarded after use.

(Image: @Paddunk)

GMP city centre inspector Phil Spurgeon said he had met with Mobike bosses and is as keen as most that they should be a success.

He accepts officers are limited in what they can do. They can, for example, step in for cases of vandalism and outright theft.

But in cases of misuse, when they are taken outside the city or kept in people’s homes or gardens for too long, it’s a matter for Mobike.

He added: “A small minority are abusing the system. It’s been launched and they are now working through some what-ifs.”

And there’s another thing.

Unless they are putting on a brave face, Mobike seem to be taking it all in their stride.

Pyer, from Mobike, told the M.E.N that their experience in other cities had been a spike of vandalism to start with then a decline.

Watch: Kids try to damage Mobike...

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He added: “As disappointing as the vandalism is, we were prepared for there to be a certain level of misuse, and we are working closely with Greater Manchester police to minimise these issues.

"When we launched in Manchester, and wherever we launch, we intend to be there not for six months but for years to come. The vandalism we’ve experienced does not change that goal.

“The vandalism may have drawn a few headlines, and it’s obviously disappointing, but it shouldn’t overshadow that the scheme has been extremely popular, and been used properly and responsibly by the vast majority of people in Manchester and Salford.”

He said feedback had been positive from residents, businesses and community centres who want to partner with Mobike on dedicated schemes for their employees and the scheme had been as popular here as in any of the 130 cities where they already operate in China and Singapore.

Crucially for them it’s making money - they have already signed 14 sponsorship deals with local businesses in Manchester.

Watch: What's it like to ride the Mobike

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Manchester University, Manchester Central Convention Complex, Manchester Cathedral and Barca Bar, are already working closely with Mobike.

And they are in talks with firms including Bruntwood, Corn Exchange, the Central Manchester University Hospital and Cundall, who are interested in making the scheme available to their employees, staff and patients.

“The cycling culture in Manchester is fantastic – there is a lot of appetite for cycling, both from end users and local businesses and institutions wanting to get involved in various ways -and we’re very happy to contribute to this overall enthusiasm,” added Steve.

The message from Mobike is clear - don’t give up on Mobike, Manchester, we haven’t given up on you.