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Mobike rolls out 1,000 bicycle parking areas in push for responsible user behaviour

SINGAPORE — Bicycle-sharing firm Mobike is rolling out 1,000 parking areas designated for its orange bikes by year end, in a bid to encourage responsible user behaviour and give riders more convenient access to the bikes.

Bicycle-sharing firm Mobike is rolling out 1,000 parking areas designated for its orange bikes by year end. TODAY file photo

Bicycle-sharing firm Mobike is rolling out 1,000 parking areas designated for its orange bikes by year end. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — Bicycle-sharing firm Mobike is rolling out 1,000 parking areas designated for its orange bikes by year end, in a bid to encourage responsible user behaviour and give riders more convenient access to the bikes.

The first 50, painted orange and marked with the Mobike logo, have just been launched and can be found at university campuses, shopping centres and popular office blocks. These include the Singapore Management University, the National University of Singapore, Republic Polytechnic, Velocity @ Novena, United Square, OneKM Mall, 10 Raeburn Park and AMK Industrial Park 2.

These parking areas, dubbed Mobike Preferred Locations, can be located via the firm’s app. They come on top of existing authorised parking locations, including public bicycle racks and dedicated shared bike parking implemented by the authorities. Along with this move, the China-headquartered firm is using technology that will detect improperly parked bikes and remind users to move those bikes.

As dockless bike-sharing takes off, with at least three private firms now vying for a slice of the pie, indiscriminately parked bikes have become an issue, despite initiatives to penalise irresponsible riders and reward those who abide by the rules.

Several town councils, such as in Tampines and Sembawang, have received feedback from residents on shared bikes obstructing common areas like letterboxes and access points such as dry risers. Pictures and videos of vandalised bikes have also been circulating online.

Homegrown firm oBike has a system whereby users would have to pay 10 to 100 times more to use its bikes if they flout the rules.

About 2 per cent of its bikes are not parked properly and have to be removed by oBike officers each day, said general manager Elgin Ee.

The firm will introduce measures in the coming months to “further strengthen the focus on the right bike parking and riding behaviours”, but Mr Ee did not give specifics. KELLY NG

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