China bike-sharing startup Mobike explores riding into Singapore

• Mobike is a technology company solving the first and last mile problem for commuters
• Singapore is an ideal eco-system for Mobike's first overseas foray

 

CHINA'S bike-sharing startup, Mobike, is exploring opportunities to introduce its bike-sharing services in Singapore.

The island state is transforming into a cycling-friendly city with more bicycle-friendly infrastructure as well as a growing network of cycling paths.

Mobike utilises technology and purpose-built bicycles to complement the public transport network, improving commuters’ accessibility and point-to-point options in their first and last mile travel.

Mobike was established in Beijing in January 2015 and since then, its operations have grown in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. More cities will be added before the end of 2016.

Singapore is the first overseas market identified by Mobike.

Mobike’s bike-sharing model
Mobike is a vertically-integrated technology company, doing everything from the design of the bike and development of the mobile app to operations, including fleet maintenance and customer service.

One of the merits of Mobike’s bike-sharing model is its station-less bike system, where users can freely find, reserve, unlock and ride a Mobike to their destination, and return the Mobike to any public bicycle parking space at their destination.

Mobike is custom-made to be equipped with GPS tracking and a locking system that can unlock a Mobike utilising a mobile app. Through its cloud platform, Mobike claims that it utilises real-time monitoring of its fleet and can enable one operator to manage 50 times more bikes than conventional bike-sharing models.

Singapore – An ideal eco-system for Mobike
The Singapore government has initiated a National Cycling Plan to create a cyclist-friendly, well-connected network to provide safe and healthy cycling for all.

By 2020, Singapore will have 360 km of park connectors and these will form part of the ultimate 700 km long extensive network of walking and cycling paths envisioned.
According to plans announced by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, there will be another 90 km of cycling paths added to more towns by 2020.

The aim is to provide all 26 HDB towns across Singapore with comprehensive intra-town cycling networks for residents to cycle to and from MRT stations and neighbourhood centres.

Given its growing inter-connectivity of urban areas, cycling can be an alternative mode of transport for short distance commutes in Singapore.

Together with Singapore’s established transportation network, conducive regulatory and business environment, the country would be an ideal eco-system for Mobike to innovate, look at new pilot schemes and start a presence outside of China for its bike-sharing services.

Mobike Singapore general manager Florian Bohnert said, “Mobike’s growth and the widespread adoption of our bike-sharing services in major Chinese cities is a proof-of-concept to our technology and operating model.

“Singapore, with its pre-existing plans to promote cycling and create a greener urban environment, is an interesting market, and we look forward to exploring opportunities, so we can innovate rapidly and deliver on our vision.”

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