oBike to deploy lighter bicycles with new features

SINGAPORE — Homegrown bike-sharing firm oBike will add 1,000 new and lighter bicycles all over the island on Wednesday (May 10).

The bicycles are 5kg lighter with a slimmer frame, and have deeper baskets to hold bulkier or more items. Other enhanced features are the one-piece steel handlebars that are more ergonomic and streamlined for easier manoeuvres.

In a press release on Tuesday, oBike — which was officially launched last month — said that these new bikes are “to cater to increasing demand”.

Its general manager Elgin Ee said that feedback from the public is that while its bicycles are “sturdy and easy to use, they can be heavy, especially for users with a smaller frame”.

In an interview with TODAY recently, Mr Ee said that oBike plans to expand its fleet to between 10,000 and 20,000 bikes “in the next months”, up from 1,000 in February. Before its launch, it had already began deploying its bicycles at various locations in January.

To increase the number of designated bike-parking spaces, the company has been working with property developers such as UOL Group Limited to roll out exclusive oBike parking zones within their premises.

To encourage commuters to go car-lite and contribute to a charitable cause, it has also been in partnership with Club Rainbow since April 29, to donate 10 per cent of the proceeds from every oBike trip to the organisation, to help children with chronic illnesses and their families. This will last until June 29.