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8 Facts about oBike, The First Bike-Sharing Company To ‘Fall’ To LTA’s New Bike-Sharing Licensing Scheme

2018-06-25 , 4:58 pm

Last Updated on 2018-06-27 , 9:25 am

It feels like only yesterday that I saw people riding on oBikes and crowding the road, and generally making the walking experience a pretty unpleasant one…

Oh, wait it was yesterday. But hey, if anything else, it seems that those days might soon be gone, seeing how oBike has essentially shut down its operations in Singapore.

Yeah I know. About time, isn’t it?

Anyway, since we’re on the topic, let’s use the old 8 Fact formula to dissect this entire issue, and really gloss over the ticks and circles that make it all…

Up.

1. The first casualty in Singapore

Having been one of the first bike-sharing operations to set up shop in Singapore, it seems that oBike has completed the full cycle by being the first to close shop as well.

And as it turns out, its closure might have a little something to do with the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Image: daykung / Shutterstock.com & McDonald’s

2. Rules and guidelines

Lest you’re unaware, the LTA recently introduced a law that requires operators to “ensure that shared bike users scan the unique QR code at the parking location as proof of proper parking before they can end their trip”.

This means that users who park indiscriminately will continue to be charged until they return the bicycles to a designated parking space.

In a bid to have the operators comply with the law, the LTA set a 7 July deadline for operators to apply for a license to operate in public places or cease operations.

And despite confirming to Channel News Asia that it would follow through with LTA’s guidelines, it seems that oBike isn’t able to deal with the “financial strain” caused by complying to the new regulations.

Much to the chagrin of oBike users, I’m sure.

3. Statement of intent

In light of the unexpected development, the bike-sharing operator has released a statement:

“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.”

Additionally, it also added that it “strongly believes and is committed to providing dock-less bicycle sharing service that would benefit users’ commuting and Singapore’s transportation system, but regrets that the new regulatory measures do not favour this belief of ours”.

4. But hold on a minute, it’s not international

That’s right; oBike has shut down operations in Singapore, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t oBike elsewhere.

As such, all oBike users who hold an oBike Super VIP membership will still be able to utilise oBike services in all other operating countries apart from Singapore.

oBike GO, anyone?

5. So what now?

Just like how Uber Eats recently shut down its local services and transferred users to the new GrabFood app, oBike is directing users to Grab (the company they’d joined forces with back in March) for continued oBike services.

However, a Grab spokesperson told Goody Feed this: “We understand that oBike has decided to cease operations in Singapore due to their difficulties in meeting regulatory guidelines. This means that we will no longer be able to offer oBike’s bicycles on the GrabCycle marketplace effective today, as oBike will not have the appropriate bike-sharing license to operate in Singapore, nor will they be maintaining their fleet of bicycles.

“As a marketplace app, our promise is to enable customers to find a shared bike or a personal mobility device easily by bringing multiple personal mobility brands into the GrabCycle app. With one fewer partner, we understand that our customers’ experience will be impacted. As such, we will be waiving all existing GrabCycle subscription fees and deposits, and offering a four-week free trial on GrabCycle for current users so that they can try our newest bike-share partner, Anywheel.

We are strong believers in the bicycle- and personal mobility device-sharing opportunity, and its impact on the livability of our future cities. We will continue to serve and grow GrabCycle, as we work towards our vision as the everyday app with multiple transport options and daily essential services for consumers.”

6. Wait, then my refund how?

(Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article state that oBike users are able to get their $49 refunded. That is incorrect. We apologise for the mix-up and have sent the writer to go ride a bicycle around Singapore. Together with his buddy, Vincent Tan.)

If your deposit of $49 is with oBike, then it might be gone.

oBike users have complained about the refund deposit button disappearing from their app. Users who are unable to get their deposit refunded are advised to contact CASE.

7. oBike apologises

It was no doubt an unexpected move on their part, but oBike has since apologised for the turn of events, expressing its “sincerest appreciation to more than 1 million users” in Singapore that have aided its services since it was started in January last year.

Meanwhile, oBike users be like…

Just kidding.

8. End of an era

It’s always sad to see something go, but like everything else, including Arsene Wenger’s tenure at Arsenal, everything comes to an end eventually.

As such, let’s just keep looking forward, and maybe stop using bicycles altogether since they present such an inconvenience to cheery road walkers-

Oh, wait, oh shit, I just forgot. Apart from GrabCycle, there are four other bike-sharing firms in Singapore, and they don’t seem to be following in oBike’s footsteps.

In fact, those four, Mobike, ofo, SG Bike and Anywheel have no plans whatsoever to ditch the licensing deadline.

Guess it’s gonna be a human-and-bike sardine can on the pavements again. As always.

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