Ofo clicks into gear with UN scheme

Chinese bike-sharing company ofo Inc is teaming up with the United Nations Development Program to promote environmentally friendly solutions for short-distance travel.

In a move to encourage people to embrace cycling and promote environmental protection, ofo and the UNDP have launched a “one kilometer initiative”.

The Beijing-based company will make the 17th of each month an “activity day” and will donate income from the initiative to enhance environmental awareness and urban sustainability.

Ofo reported in March that it processed more than 10 million daily orders with each ride costing about 1 yuan per hour.

With a presence in more than 100 cities in four countries in China, the United States, United Kingdom and Singapore, the company now connects to more than 5 million bikes.

number of bikes that are now connected through ofo network

Luo Shili, the UNDP representative in China, praised ofo for being committed to making the Earth a better place.

As the United Nations’ agency to promote global development, UNDP is also dedicated to helping people create better lives.

“The two sides share a common mission in promoting green transportation and sustainable development,” Luo said.

Yu Xin, co-founder of ofo, is convinced that bike-sharing can help conserve resources as well as making the best use of city space.

“With joint efforts, we will be able to travel ‘the most beautiful one kilometer’,” Yu said.

Ofo plans to make its iconic yellow bikes available for rental in 200 Chinese cities and 10 foreign markets by the end of the year.

Starting off on college campuses in 2014, the company is the latest investors’ darling along with major rival Beijing Mobike Technology Co Ltd.

Ofo is backed by Didi Chuxing, while Tencent Holdings Ltd is behind Mobike.