RECYCLING, REFUNDING AND REDESIGNING: Unveiling Mobike's New Growth Initiatives

(Source: Mobike Blog)

Today, for the first time, we are excited to introduce a series of new initiatives designed to further improve user experience for over 200 million users around the world. These developments are the first to be announced since Mobike was acquired by Meituan Dianping, China's largest ecommerce platform, in April of this year.

Platform Integration:

For the first time, Mobike’s service will be fully integrated into the Meituan platform in China. Users in China will be able to hire a Mobike directly from the Meituan app, increasing the number of potential Mobikers to all Meituan users.

Deposits Refunded:

In addition we are abolishing the deposit scheme in China to initiate a no-threshold, zero-burden and zero-condition standard for the entire bikesharing industry. This begins with the deposit being refunded to users in China. We have also recently removed the need for deposits in our first overseas region, Singapore, and started to refund users. The move follows concerns from bikeshare users who were uncertain about the ability to have deposits refunded.

Mobike, which has the world’s largest mobile IoT network with over nine million smart bikes in operation serving up to 30 million rides daily, also announced two new initiatives to enhance and manage its bicycle fleet.

Recycling Plan:

With the world’s largest mobile IoT network with over nine million smart bikes in operation serving up to 30 million rides daily, Mobike must set the standard for the bikesharing industry.

We estimate that, without significant change, by 2020 more than 10 million shared bicycles across the bikeshare industry will need to be recycled. To ensure we are best prepared to address this issue Mobike is investing more than 3 Billion Chinese Yuan (approx. $455 million US Dollars) into the new Mobike Life Cycle program, to reduce, reuse and recycle bike components. This program is the first such initiative to be introduced in the bikesharing industry.

Through partnership with leading companies, including Dow, China Recycling Resources Co. Ltd and Tianjin Xinneng Recycling Resources Co., Ltd, Mobike will ensure that all parts of its bikes are recycled, either for components for new bikes or for raw materials.

The plan builds on existing work that led to the 2017 Champions of the Earth accolade from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the award was supported by Mobike's work to recycle and reuse over 300,000 tires.

Ms Hu Weiwei, Mobike Founder and CEO said:

"Personally, I am very proud of our recycling initiative. The humble bicycle can change the world, but we must ensure that even when the bike can no longer roll, its parts can be either re-used or be turned into raw material for other uses.”

E-Bike Development:

Hu Weiwei, and Chief Bike Designer, Geo Shusan unveiled Mobike's new E-Bike at a press conference today in Beijing. The bike has a top speed of 20 km/h, and weighs just 25.5 kg. It can ride up to 70 kms per charge and will be introduced both in China and international markets.

Ms Hu added:

“Electric vehicles offer both efficiency and environmental benefits, and the demand for E-Bikes is growing both here in China and internationally. We believe that E-Bikes will complement our original bikes, and will further improve city life for both our users and cities themselves by reducing the reliance on cars.”

Today, most people use Mobike for trips up to 3 kms. However, our research shows that Mobikers are looking for efficient and environmentally-responsible modes of transport for 5 km and over. With this is mind, research shows that E-Bikes are both quicker and more sustainable than cars.