The mobike arrived in Shenzhen sometime this month, quietly, with little fanfare. Suddenly they are everywhere. Thousands and thousands of them, hugging street corners, bike racks and metro station walls. Previously released in Beijing and Shanghai, whilst they are effectively just a public bike, they are different! Mobike is a phone app operated, GPS located, easy pay everyday transport system for everyone.
The bikes don’t have a luggage rack, or a roof to keep the sun and rain out, or adjustable height seat for all comers, or safety helmets. Effectively therefore they are still just a bike and therefore not going to solve urban transport problems, but the “uber” like tracking and payment operation takes it to a whole new level. A small upgrade in design and we could have the luggage space and seating space for two under roof cover.
As long ago as 2009, a technological epoch, Segway were promoting urban commuter solutions with their PUMA EV. Ahead of their time, it won’t be long before we have single and 2 wheel pod transport filling that void between the public bike and taxi, working on today’s automated vehicle and ride hailing technology. Perfect for short commutes, efficient in space and energy and able to fit in the shopping and kids, these urban transport solutions will be the techno tuktuks of the 21C and will drive private cars out of the cities. Can’t wait to ride in one…
