Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

SHENZHEN transport commission unveiled a draft plan to address illegal parking of app-based bicycles, which has drawn criticism from the public.

The guidance requires app-based bike operators to standardize their services and tighten management over bikes, deposits and user information. The government will be responsible for the planning and construction of parking facilities, which will be mainly set up near Metro stations and bus stops to facilitate the last mile’s commute for commuters.

According to the plan, the bikes should leave at least a width of 1.5 meters for pedestrians to walk through if they occupy pedestrian roads. They shouldn’t obstruct use of other public and urban facilities. Bicycles should be parked at the sides or back of entrances to Metro stations, sides of bus stops or the empty spaces near overpasses, elevated bridges and foot bridges. They shouldn’t obstruct footbridges, lanes for the visually impaired or an area within 10 meters of the gates of crowded places such as housing estates, office buildings, industries, hospitals, schools, sports venues and tourism sites.

The bike operators should discuss and cooperate with property managements to designate parking places in non-public areas such as housing estates and work places.

The app-based bike service started in Shenzhen in October and has gained popularity over the past month. Data shows that four companies, namely Mobike, ofo, Bluegogo and Xiaomingdanche, operate 120,000 bicycles in the city. This number is expected to rise to 210,000 before the end of January.

The rise in rental bikes also drew criticism from the public for illegal parking, although they provide convenience for residents.

In a recent dispute with the property management of a housing estate in Nanshan District, 200 app-based bikes parked near the entrance of the housing estate and Exit D of Nanshan Station of Line 11 were locked up because they had occupied car parking spaces.

The property owners demanded 20,000 yuan (US$2,899) compensation from the bike operator, which refused the request. A survey showed 80 percent of respondents supported locking up the bicycles, because they were illegally parked and obstructing traffic.

The public can look up the details of the guideline on the official website of Shenzhen transport commission at http://www.sztb.gov.cn and send their suggestions to szznjtj@sztb.gov.cn before Jan. 6.

（Editor Lily A）