Smart bike-sharing start-up Mobike partners with S P Setia

PETALING JAYA (Sept 7): Bike-sharing start-up Mobike has partnered with S P Setia Bhd to launch its dockless bike-sharing service in its flagship Setia Eco Park township at Shah Alam yesterday.

“Smart bike-sharing offers big townships and their residents and visitors many benefits including reduced traffic congestion, decreased pollution and simple yet cost-effective urban transportation option. Of course, it is also a great way for members of Citizen Setia to stay fit and healthy,” said S P Setia deputy president and COO Datuk Wong Tuck Wai in a statement yesterday.

According to the property developer, the service is a “fun way” to solve the “last mile” connectivity issue and improve the quality of life for denizens of its adjoining Setia Alam and Setia Eco Park townships, as well as embrace innovation and the Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Meanwhile, Mobike vice-president of international expansion Chris Martin said: “We are truly excited to be partnering with S P Setia, a highly regarded Malaysian property developer, to bring our customised smart bike-sharing service to Malaysia, a country that is embarking on an exciting and ambitious path to achieve an efficient, integrated and sustainable public transport system.

“We envision that Mobike’s dockless and convenient bike-sharing service will grow in tandem with the nation’s push to redefine the transportation sector’s environmental impact for a sustainable and well-connected country.”

Every bicycle is equipped with unique smart-lock technology and built-in GPS connected via the Mobike IoT network, allowing location tracking and health monitoring for each bike in real time, as well as managing the supply and help solve the “last-mile” challenge in high-traffic location such as metro stations, university campuses and retail parks.

There are a total of 600 bikes in both townships at designated locations. Riders can access Mobike’s services via its mobile app and scan the QR code on the bike.

To celebrate its launch in Malaysia, Mobike is providing one free month of services in September.

Following the promotional period, users can enjoy rides at the affordable rate of RM1.50 for every 30 minutes.

According to the start-up, Malaysia is the third Southeast Asian country to welcome its operations, the first being Singapore, followed by Thailand.

As of August 2017, Mobike is present in more than 160 cities, operating a fleet of over seven million bikes and completing up to 25 million trips daily.