Bike-sharing schemes take the world by storm

China's bike-sharing schemes 

hit UK streets

Bike-sharing schemes in the UK city of Oxford are quite different from the business model in China, where people don’t have to worry about finding a docking station. 

CGTN’s Zhang He reports that Oxford city council is very supportive of cycling as it help to reduce traffic and pollution. But it is expensive to invest in infrastructure and provide bikes for everyone, so less formal bike-sharing is not new to the locals.

Agne Milukaite has launched a peer-to-peer bike sharing scheme. This “Airbnb for Bikes” community enables people to borrow bikes from local cyclists, families and vendors, from as little as one British pound per day. 

Ofo is China's largest bike-sharing operator and it has launched a trial in Cambridge, while several companies have been in contact with Oxford city council.

Each city will have a different business model and bike-sharing schemes will differ from city to city, but whether China's model can flourish in the UK remains to be seen.

Hong Kong joins 

bike-sharing trend

Hong Kong joins bike-sharing trend

Inspired by the booming bicycle sharing culture on the Chinese mainland, a company called Gobee.bike has launched a similar service in Hong Kong.

Cyclists can now use 1,000 smart bicycles in the New Territories by simply scanning a QR code. It costs 5 HK dollars (65 US cents) per half hour. 

Many locals and tourists say it is a fantastically convenient experience. 

Gobee.bike’s target market is enthusiasts with no space at home to keep their own bikes, or those looking to keep fit by swapping public transport for self-powered bicycles.

The company founder sees big potential for the market. He believes that sharing bikes offers new choices for commuting, working out, and sightseeing. 

Gobee.bike is set to grow rapidly. By the end of 2017, the company hopes to have bikes across most of Hong Kong, including the crowded Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. 

But some are doubtful, questioning whether a real need exists as Hong Kong has an already highly-developed transportation system. 

Traditionally, Hong Kong is not seen as a bike-friendly city. Subways, buses and trams make transportation convenient and easy. And cycling lanes and other supporting infrastructure are lacking in the space-starved area.