Bike-sharing firms should pay for their own parking lots
Bicycles from bike-sharing firm Mobike at Bedok Reservoir Park. The letter writer, who encountered this situation, says such bicycles take up space meant for other cyclists. Photo: Tay Yong Hong
I read the commentary “Getting a better grip on bike sharing” (June 12) with interest.
I totally agree that regulators and operators must work together with the Government to avoid pitfalls.
Earlier this month, I encountered this situation at Bedok Reservoir Exercise Park (picture): A bike-sharing operator had placed close to 50 bicycles in an orderly manner in an open lot, but it creates a headache for other cyclists since this takes away space for them to park.
On the other hand, bicycles that are parked haphazardly also present a nuisance to pedestrians and other road users.
The Government should mandate that bike-sharing companies bid for space to have their own lots or rent such space from the authorities, rather than use public parking lots meant for other cyclists. Coupled with proper cost management and monitoring through mobile apps, these companies can then allow or disallow users to pick up and return their bikes at fixed, designated locations.
