Mobike cycles full speed into Cyberjaya

MOBIKE, the world’s first and largest bike-sharing company, has expanded its service to Cyberjaya in a joint partnership with Cyberview Sdn Bhd and Mastercard.

The launch was attended by Mobike Malaysia country manager Sanjey Chandran, Cyberview chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah and acting managing director Najib Ibrahim, as well as Mastercard Malaysia and Brunei country manager Perry Ong.

Mastercard is supporting Mobike by integrating its digital payment service, Masterpass, with the smart bike’s mobile phone application.

The Beijing-based Mobike first started in China in April, 2016, and is now in over 180 cities around the world.

Mobike first launched in Shah Alam in early September and now that it has gone into Cyberjaya, it plans to next expand its operations to Kuala Lumpur by yearend.

But even with its experience, Mobike will need to work fast to carve a place in Malaysia.

It will have to contend with the more ubiquitous oBike service from Singapore which started its operations in the Klang Valley in July, as well as Ofo, another Beijing-based company that was launched in Malacca in August.

One thing that sets Mobike’s bicycles apart from the competition is their unique build.

Mobike bicycles have a frontcarrying basket, chainless shaft transmission, non-puncture airless tyres, lightweight aluminium anti-rust frame, and durable disc brakes affixed to custom five-spoke wheels.

They are designed to be distinctive, maintenance free, and have an estimated four-year lifespan.

Each bicycle is connected to the Mobike network via its smart lock which has GPS and data connection to a cellular network.

Users will need to download the app, register and pay a onetime deposit to use the service.

To rent a bike, simply scan the QR code on a bicycle using the code, and it will unlock. To end a ride, just pack the bicycle in an authorised area and lock it.

The Mobike app is available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

In conjunction with the launch, Mobike has lowered its one-time deposit to RM9 instead of RM99 for October. It is also giving free service this month, and will only start charging RM1.50 for every 30 minutes of use, after the promotional period. – Azizul Rahman Ismail