Dockless bikes hit objections

– When hi-tech bicycle rental scheme Mobike dropped hundreds of its distinctive orange and silver bikes across the northern British city of Manchester, it promised a cheap, flexible and low-carbon way to travel.

In September, the firm announced it was pulling out of the city, citing significant bike losses due to theft and vandalism and following complaints of antisocial use and street clutter.

It was just the latest growing pains of dockless bike and scooter schemes which have exploded across many cities.

While fans say they help free city centres from traffic and promote cycling, critics argue they have taken advantage of a lack of regulations and acting as “parasites” on public space.

“Urban space and public space is for the public – it’s for us all to use. It’s not for a private company to make profit off,” said Morten Kabell of Danish firm Copenhagenize, which specialises in bike-focused urban planning.

“[Dockless firms] prefer anarchy, they prefer to be parasites on the urban space.”

Chinese rivals Ofo and Mobike are among the biggest players in the dockless rental market which has seen millions of bicycles and electric scooters placed across hundreds of cities worldwide.

These schemes differ from traditional rentals in that the vehicles are not stored at a set location like a rental shop, but are simply left out in public.

Users can track down, unlock and rent the nearest bike or scooter using a mobile phone app and later leave it where they finish riding it.

Steve Milton, head of growth for Mobike Europe, says the schemes offer a revolutionary new mode of travel in crowded inner-cities.

It is a fast-expanding market. Global consultancy firm Roland Berger estimates bike sharing is growing by 20% a year and could be worth up to €8 billion (R128 billion) by 2021.

But it hasn’t been a smooth journey. Tussles between dockless companies and cities have emerged worldwide.

A growing number of cities and urban districts are introducing regulations to license or otherwise manage private dockless schemes. – Reuters

London