oBike Has Stopped Operating In Singapore
Tough luck.
By John Lim — 25 Jun 2018, 04:14 PM
Bicycle-sharing platform oBike has ceased operations in Singapore, the company said in a statement today, 25 June
Channel NewsAsia said the startup, which was launched in the city-state in January 2017, has decided to stop operating with immediate effect due to "difficulties" in aligning with new requirements mandated by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to tackle indiscriminate parking.
"oBike is announcing its decision to cease operation in Singapore as a result of difficulties foreseen to be experienced to fulfil the new requirements and guidelines released by LTA towards dock-less bicycle sharing in Singapore," the company said.
The new guidelines oBike noted in its statement were stipulated back in March, which require operators offering dockless shared bikes, personal mobility devices (PMDs), and power-assisted bicycles to be regulated under a new licensing regime
The bill comes after complaints about dockless bicycles parking haphazardly in public spaces.
Bicycle-sharing operations have been instructed by LTA to submit applications by 7 July for a license to operate in public places or cease operations.
Among other demands, the licensing framework requires users to scan a special QR code as proof of proper parking before they can end a trip.
oBike said users who are currently Super VIP members and want to continue using oBike can still use the service in all other operating countries like Malaysia and Thailand
In the parting statement, oBike expressed its "sincerest appreciation to more than 1 million users" in Singapore that have supported its services since it was launched last year.