Mobike to transfer bike share license to SG Bike

Once approved, 25,000 bikes will be added to SG Bike’s fleet and make it the city’s largest operator.

Singapore Mobike (Mobike) will transfer its bike sharing license to SG Bike in a deal that would make SG Bike the largest bike share operator in Singapore, an announcement revealed. The deal is tentatively to be completed by 13 September 2019.

“Currently we have jointly applied towards the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to transfer Mobike's license of 25,000 bicycles to SG Bike,” a SG Bike spokesperson told Singapore Business Review. With their current licenses, Mobike can operate a total of 25,000 bicycles whilst SG Bike can operate 3,000 bicycles.

SG Bike is currently available at Yishun, Tampines, and East Coast Park area. “After the license transfer, we will be looking into strategic bicycle deployments of bicycles into areas including but not limited to North, North East, East and West,” the spokesperson added.

Following the approval from LTA and system integration, SG Bike users will be able to unlock both SG Bike and Mobike bicycles using the SG Bike app. Existing Mobike users with account balances and ride passes will also be able to transfer them to SG Bike by downloading the SG Bike app.

“There will be no disruptions to services and users can continue to enjoy the convenience and experience of bike sharing provided by both brands via the homegrown SG Bike brand,” the two said in a joint statement.

Steve Milton, head of Mobike International PR, said, “Combining Mobike and SG Bike is the ideal solution for Mobike in Singapore as it maintains the continuity that has been established since Mobike launched in Singapore in 2017.”

Sean Tay, chief operating officer of SG Bike, said, “With the increased bicycle fleet size, SG Bike will now be able to serve more areas in Singapore. Bicycles will also be strategically deployed to ensure bicycle availability.”

Mobike users with deposits can continue to make a refund request from Mobike. Following the deal completion and system integration, user deposits will be converted into SG Bike account credits without expiry for usage convenience. Users will also have the option to opt out and collect their refund from SG Bike.

In March, Mobike applied to surrender its Singapore license to the LTA in a development that marks back-to-back exits by players from the bike-sharing scene. Under the Parking Places Act, a bicycle-sharing license may only be surrendered with the agency's written consent.