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For those interested: over here in China (specifically Shanghai) is a massive bike sharing war being fought, where the two largest incumbents have been given we

For those interested: over here in China (specifically Shanghai) is a massive bike sharing war being fought, where the two largest incumbents have been given well over $200m in investment money over the last year. The leading brands are Mobike and Ofo, with around 4 other small competitors creeping in. Mobike was started by an ex-Uber China manager, launched in Shanghai - whereas Ofo had been developed as a bike sharing scheme in universities. Mobike has GPS enabled, QR unlocked bicycles. Where as Ofo are not GPS enabled and are unlocked with a simple analogue pin code bike lock. If you want to know more, let me know.

rahimnathwani 10y ago
Great summary. I started using Mobike+subway+Mobike to get to/from work after Uber China stopped offering generous subsidies. I use both Mobike and Ofo, depending on which is available. Advantages of Mobike: - Map-based view of nearby bikes - Can reserve a bike for 15 mins, whilst you walk to it from wherever you are (good if you're a couple of subway stops away) - Bikes are plentiful in most places I go Mobike disadvantages: - Bikes take some effort to ride, perhaps due to a dynamo and the weight of the electronics Ofo advantages: - Bikes are light and easy to ride Ofo disadvantages: - Need to wander around to find one, which takes time, even if the app tells you there are some nearby - Quite common for an Ofo bike to be locked to something using a private chain (i.e. someone has stolen it), and you don't know until you walk up to it
- abrowne 10y ago
  > - Bikes take some effort to ride, perhaps due to a dynamo and the weight of the electronics The shaft drive can't help either.
- joss82 10y ago
  > - Quite common for an Ofo bike to be locked to something using a private chain (i.e. someone has stolen it), and you don't know until you walk up to it How about always carrying a metal saw with you?
  - rahimnathwani 10y ago
    You're not allowed to carry weapons or weapon-like things on the subway in Beijing. There are x-ray machines at every entrance.
Taniwha 10y ago
I wrote this a few weeks ago about the Chinese scene http://publicaddress.net/speaker/shenzens-hire-bike-explosion/ http://publicaddress.net/speaker/shenzens-hire-bike-explosio...

rahimnathwani 10y ago

Great summary. I started using Mobike+subway+Mobike to get to/from work after Uber China stopped offering generous subsidies. I use both Mobike and Ofo, depending on which is available. Advantages of Mobike: - Map-based view of nearby bikes - Can reserve a bike for 15 mins, whilst you walk to it from wherever you are (good if you're a couple of subway stops away) - Bikes are plentiful in most places I go Mobike disadvantages: - Bikes take some effort to ride, perhaps due to a dynamo and the weight of the electronics Ofo advantages: - Bikes are light and easy to ride Ofo disadvantages: - Need to wander around to find one, which takes time, even if the app tells you there are some nearby - Quite common for an Ofo bike to be locked to something using a private chain (i.e. someone has stolen it), and you don't know until you walk up to it

abrowne 10y ago
> - Bikes take some effort to ride, perhaps due to a dynamo and the weight of the electronics The shaft drive can't help either.
joss82 10y ago
> - Quite common for an Ofo bike to be locked to something using a private chain (i.e. someone has stolen it), and you don't know until you walk up to it How about always carrying a metal saw with you?
- rahimnathwani 10y ago
  You're not allowed to carry weapons or weapon-like things on the subway in Beijing. There are x-ray machines at every entrance.

Taniwha 10y ago

I wrote this a few weeks ago about the Chinese scene http://publicaddress.net/speaker/shenzens-hire-bike-explosion/ http://publicaddress.net/speaker/shenzens-hire-bike-explosio...