It is no exaggeration to claim that Mobike's has revolutionized the very concept of urban cycling. Contrary to earlier iterations of bike sharing, Mobike doesn't require users to tediously locate docking stations or provide credit card details.

Furthermore, as the general manager of Wuxi's manufacturing plant illustrated at the Xinwu district press conference, Mobike proudly boasts 30 technological patents including its airless durable tires, an Internet of Things (IoT) bike locking system, a fully aluminum body, and a five-spoke wheel.

Xu Hongjun, general manager of Mobike's Wuxi plant, introduces some of the technical innovations of the bike at a release conference held in Xinwu district, Wuxi on Mar 3. The new bikes are lighter, safer, and have a mudguard to keep riders dry. [Photo/China Daily]

The bike program aims to bridge distances that public transport often fails to cover and users need only download the Mobike app and deposit 299 yuan ($43) to become subscribers. When searching for a Mobike, users simply find the nearest available bike using the app's map and then scan the Mobike's QR code to unlock the vehicle.

At an economic one yuan per hour, Mobike is certainly one of the most affordable ways of getting around town, though users should be warned that breaking parking rules or damaging the bikes themselves will result in fines and tariff increases.