Rise of the Bike-sharing Phenomenon, Redux
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June 2025, 01:07
Almost exactly seven years ago, I wrote about bike-sharing apps and how they were making their presence felt in Singapore.
Those were some turbulent times, in the context of the bike-sharing industry, at least. Users flagrantly mistreated the bikes they rented. Due to problems arising from abuse of bicycle privileges and irresponsible parking, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) eventually mandated that bike-sharing companies would have to implement a QR code-based geo-fencing for designated parking, and gave existing bike-sharing companies a grace period in which to do so.
By the end of 2019, the majority of the companies I was talking about back then, have either been absorbed by bigger companies or left Singapore altogether due to challenges both technical and financial.
Having downloaded the Ofo app in the past, I gave the Anywheel app a go. The difference wasn't huge. Like the Ofo app, it basically included a feature to scan a QR code on the bike to unlock it, a way to relock and park the bike, and a payment interface.
The only real difference was the parking feature, and all it really involved was scanning a QR code at the parking spot. This is mystifying, because it doesn't strike me as anything the previous bike-sharimg operators wouldn't have been able to do. In light of this, it appears that at least part of the reason that the new players managed to meet the requirements at all, was with the cooperation of the LTA.
Those were some turbulent times, in the context of the bike-sharing industry, at least. Users flagrantly mistreated the bikes they rented. Due to problems arising from abuse of bicycle privileges and irresponsible parking, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) eventually mandated that bike-sharing companies would have to implement a QR code-based geo-fencing for designated parking, and gave existing bike-sharing companies a grace period in which to do so.
Cyclists in Singapore.
By the end of 2019, the majority of the companies I was talking about back then, have either been absorbed by bigger companies or left Singapore altogether due to challenges both technical and financial.
New players
As of 2025, two main companies remain. Anywheel was founded in 2017, and was a relatively small player at the time. It was only in 2019, when the dust cleared, that it began to establish itself as a major player. HelloRide, in contrast, was founded just a few years back in 2022 and only as recently as last year, received a full license to operate in Singapore.Having downloaded the Ofo app in the past, I gave the Anywheel app a go. The difference wasn't huge. Like the Ofo app, it basically included a feature to scan a QR code on the bike to unlock it, a way to relock and park the bike, and a payment interface.
Designated parking spaces.
The only real difference was the parking feature, and all it really involved was scanning a QR code at the parking spot. This is mystifying, because it doesn't strike me as anything the previous bike-sharimg operators wouldn't have been able to do. In light of this, it appears that at least part of the reason that the new players managed to meet the requirements at all, was with the cooperation of the LTA.
Same same but different?
Things seem to have improved. I no longer see bicycles thrown around nilly-willy. Once in a long while, I might see an abandoned bicycle in a canal, but these seem fewer and further in between, as compared to the old days. Perhaps Singapore as a society has grown. One can only hope.
And while there are markedly fewer choices, there's also a whole lot less chaos. Less mess, an improved technical implementation, and an overall better experience for the consumer. I am optimistic.
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Abandoned bicycle in canal.
And while there are markedly fewer choices, there's also a whole lot less chaos. Less mess, an improved technical implementation, and an overall better experience for the consumer. I am optimistic.
Let's ride!
