Suwon's Bike-Sharing Service Resumes Operations

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City will operate 750 shared bicycles from a domestic company A on a trial basis throughout October to minimize inconvenience to citizens resulting from the suspension of 'Mobike' bike-sharing service.

Company A has a business location in Suwon, and its bike-sharing operating system is similar to the existing Mobike system. Company A's shared bicycles are yellow.

Using smartphones, bicycles equipped with GPS can be conveniently rented and returned at bicycle parking spaces located throughout the city.

To use the bike-sharing service, users must install an app. The app can be downloaded by scanning the QR code attached to the bicycle. Company A's app is currently available only on Android operating systems.

When the app is activated, a map appears showing the location of nearby bicycles. Users can find a bicycle, scan the QR code attached to it with a smartphone to unlock, and use it. After use, users press the 'lock' button on the app and engage the bicycle lock.

Service can be used free of charge throughout October during the trial period. From November, a fee system equivalent to Mobike will be applied (500 won for 20 minutes).

The 'station-less unmanned bike-sharing service' that the city introduced in January last year through private operator management ended operations on the 30th of last month. Bike-sharing company 'Mobike' decided to withdraw completely from overseas operations, and consequently ended operations in Suwon.

In preparation for Mobike's withdrawal from overseas operations, the city has been in contact with domestic bike-sharing companies since early this year to prepare alternatives.

A city official stated, "We will do our best to ensure that the bike-sharing service operates smoothly again."