Two major Chinese cities suspend Didi Bikes as municipal authorities weigh cons of adding more bicycles
Didi Chuxing, the world’s most valuable start-up, is branching out from its main business of ride-hailing into bicycle-sharing and takeaway delivery as it seeks to provide more services for its millions of users.
Two major Chinese cities have suspended a new bicycle-sharing service by the world’s most valuable start-up, as municipal authorities worldwide grapple with the social problems that come with dockless bicycles.
Guangzhou and Shenzhen, both in China’s populous southern Guangdong province, have rebuffed attempts by Didi Chuxing’s Didi Bikes service to start services in their cities, citing saturation and ill-management of existing bicycles, according to Guangdong News, citing regulators.
Didi said it is in “constructive communication with Shenzhen and Guangzhou authorities regarding the temporary suspension of new DiDi Bikes”. Users can still use other bicycle-sharing services from the Didi app in the two cities, the company said.
Guangzhou traffic commission’s general office confirmed the decision in a phone inquiry that major bicycle-sharing firms including Didi, Harrods, ofo and Mobike have been asked to stop adding more bicycles to their fleets. The Shenzhen traffic bureau did not immediately give a comment when contacted.
All bike-sharing platforms have to file written requests before adding new bikes into the market, according to a regulation put in place by Shenzhen traffic authorities since last September.