Sharing bikes in Shanghai

Sharing bikes in Shanghai(projectgus.com)

84 points by angusgr 9 years ago | 23 comments

notauser 9 years ago |

I used a Mobike when visiting Guangzhou last year.

It is amazing how fast they've overtaken the city. They seemed to be everywhere and ridden by huge numbers of people.

I'm a pretty frequent Boris Bike user in London (500 miles a year on the rental bikes) and thought the dockless GPS system was a great improvement on London's docking stations.

We cycled to a brewery and left the bikes outside the front door which was much more convenient than having to look for a cycle hire rack. There's absolutely no need to plan your route around fixed infrastructure which is very liberating.

nullnilvoid 9 years ago |

Ofo has claimed that it is the biggest transportation platform in the world, with more than 20 million rides in one day (yes more than Uber, and even Didi).

Cerium 9 years ago |

Wonderful run down on the bike sharing situation in China. In regards to the notion that 1 RMB per half hour is cheap, I would say it is fair. One RMB has buying power equal to about one USD in most situations.

fallmonkey 9 years ago | |

I've lived in different cities in China and US. 4-6 RMB to 1 USD in major cities like Beijing/Shanghai, and 1-3 RMB to 1 USD in less developed cities or sururban area. Less developed a city is, less RMB to USD in purchasing power for most domestic goods.

imcotton 9 years ago | |

> One RMB has buying power equal to about one USD in most situations.

I strongly disagree, with one RMB in China you can only get a lighter (cheap one) in 7-11, I can't really think of anything else for that price.

darklajid 9 years ago | | |

For those of us that never held a USD in their hands: What would you be able to buy with a single Dollar?

Cerium 9 years ago | | |

In the USA if I need a quick breakfast I grab a bagel with a spread for about $3; in China I will grab a noodle bowl for 3 RMB or a couple baozi for 2 RMB each.

Other points I use to come up with my recommendation that outside Beijing and Shanghai you treat 1 USD to be equal to 1 to 2 RMB.

Bus Ride - $2, RMB 1-3 Quick lunch - $8-15, RMB 10-20 Beer at a basic bar - $6-8, RMB 8-12 Beer at store: $1-2, RMB 2-4

Of course this is for domestic products in both countries. Imports cost more and follow exchange rate. For example, in China imports are usually exchange price + 25% import tax (electronics, cars).

ithinkinstereo 9 years ago |

Having bikes chained everywhere is a common sight in China and other developing countries -- even in developed countries where biking is a popular mode of transportation like the Netherlands.

This is less common in the US. I wonder if Americans will tolerate having bikes everywhere, like the Chinese or the Dutch do.

Thlom 9 years ago | |

You tolerate cars everywhere, so why not?

ithinkinstereo 9 years ago | | |

Apples to oranges.

NTDF9 9 years ago | |

Even if they do tolerate it, the biggest impediment to adoption of bikes in the US, is its vast suburbia. This itself makes it so unbearable. Cycling just isn't fun when you're not able to see other cyclists, humans, stores and actually socialize with your society.

squidlogic 9 years ago | | |

Let's not forget the very real possibility of death when cycling on a US road. You are completely at the mercy of the auto. In most cities dedicated bike lanes with any barriers or protection are very rare.

nullnilvoid 9 years ago | |

It is not everywhere per say. There are restrictions saying where you can put your bikes. There are designated places in cities where bikes are allowed. For example, in San Francisco, there are only certain places where you can park your bikes.

r00fus 9 years ago | | |

America: where you can park your car wherever you want (and laws are set up to mandate construction of parking access for new buildings), but parking your bike is limited to specific areas.

Just in case there's anyone still harboring the illusion that the auto/petroleum industry isn't thoroughly dominant in US culture.

contingencies 9 years ago |

There are a few I had never heard of here. My recent experience is mostly in Kunming and Shenzhen, but also Beijing. IMHO all three places have Mobike and Ofo dominating the options, with Ofo winning and Bluegogo as an honorable mention.