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| This is an overhead image of a field in Shanghai where they have deposited some of the bicycles that belonged to the shared bike concerns. |
In China the government had an idea that allowing companies to market bike-sharing apps would encourage the public to use bikes for innercity trips. Many people signed up for the services, paid deposits and used one of the 9 rideshare bike services for a time. BUT as all good
green ideas must, this one too failed to live up to its hype. Now, millions of bikes, both damaged and abandoned have ended up in storage as seen above in one lot. The bikes that were used ended up in congested share lots, at apartment complexes, blocking sidewalks and causing traffic mayhem. The companies went bankrupt, investors lost money and deposits disappeared. Turns out the start-ups were only interested in getting user data that could be sold, this was their major marketing model.
I hope these bikes can be transported to Africa and donated to people who may actually use them.
