City moves to develop bike rentals

Shanghai is aiming to develop a bicycle rental system that will encourage people to switch between two wheels and rapid transit services for everyday journeys.

In a white paper on the city’s transportation sector, which has been open to public feedback since Sept 1, the government proposes to create safe, convenient and comfortable conditions for those on foot or on bikes.

To develop a rental network, district-level authorities have been urged to set up rental spots at subway stations, transit hubs, office buildings and tourist attractions.

The city will study standards on services, and encourage an interchange between bicycles and public transportation.

Officials have also vowed to make it easier for bike riders to travel on roads, with measures including more segregation facilities to divide bicycle lanes, and setting up cycleways when constructing new towns, large communities and other important zones.

So far only a handful of districts in Shanghai have bicycle rental services, as the city was less enthusiastic in putting forward the service than other cities such as Beijing and Hangzhou. In Minhang district, a free bicycle rental service was scrapped after many users failed to return the bicycles after using them.

Starting last month, residents were asked to pay a 300 yuan ($48) deposit.

Bikes are now free to use for the first 60 minutes, and then cost 1 yuan an hour.