Many residents of the cycling town of Tampines, are disturbed by the poor parking of bicycles operated by bike-sharing companies, which obstruct public space.
This year, one is able to ride the numerous bicycles scattered island wide as a result of station-less bicycle-sharing applications, when done, users need to return the bicycles back to where they found it.
Ms Mira Zaihan, a 24-year-old piano teacher, feels that station-less bicycle-sharing, despite being convenient for users, it is a nuisance to the public. She mentioned that after using the bicycles, users leave their bicycles everywhere – some laid on the floor and some right in the middle of the pavement.
Keeve Lee, a 17-year-old student also feels that bicycle-sharing applications such as Ofo, oBike and Mobike should not be encouraged.
Lee mentioned, “it is causing LTA a lot of trouble due to the untidiness of these bicycles being left all around the roads.”
Ms Mira feels that the users of the bicycles, more than the companies, are the ones responsible for the inconsiderate parking of the the bikes.
“I’m Singaporean, but – Singaporean people are like this (inconsiderate).” Said Ms Mira.
Ms Mira suggests that since users get charged by the length of time spent riding the bicycle, the bicycle-sharing company should continue charging the users until the bicycle is properly parked at an allocated parking area.
Mr Jonathan Chong, a 40-year-old teacher who frequently cycles from his house to the Tampines bus interchange, feels that the bicycles take up many of the parking lots for bicycles, with some bicycles even blocking the way at times. However, Mr Chong still feels that such bicycle-sharing applications would benefit those who do not own bicycles.
Hadah Anuar, an 18-year-old student, mentioned that she usually sees these bicycles neatly parked. However, Hadah feels that when too many bicycles are left at the same area, it would likely obstruct the path of pedestrians.
According to respective bicycle-sharing companies, the bicycles should be parked at designated public bike-parking areas. Users who fail to adhere to good parking practices will receive demerits to their credit. With a reduction in their credit, this means that users are charged more for future trips.
There are teams of people from the respective bicycle-sharing companies going around relocating poorly parked bicycles and retrieving damaged ones.
Bicycle-sharing services are currently provided in Singapore by three companies in – oBike, Ofo, and Mobike. To rent the bicycles from these companies, one needs to register for an account with the respective companies’ phone applications, paying a refundable deposit of $39 for Ofo, $49 for oBike, and $49 for Mobike respectively, via credit or debit card.
Users simply have to locate a bicycle using the GPS system within the applications, scan the QR code on the bicycle to get the number combination in order to unlock the bicycle. Users are then charged for the duration spent on the bicycles. Charges stop when the bicycles are locked.
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