Beijing Bicycles for Rent

In a city that welcomes 1,000 new cars to its streets everyday, the Beijing Bicycle Rental Company is hoping to start a revolution. The growing company is China’s first subscription-based bike sharing service, a slow but steady trend we’ve watched spread throughout Europe and that’s growing in popularity stateside, too.

The BBRC was started more than two years ago by Wang Yong, a cycling enthusiast who launched his business with the profits he made from the three restaurants he owns. BBRC’s system is similar to that used by Bicing in Barcelona and Velib in Paris: customers pick up a bicycle at a rental station, leave a 400 yuan ($53) credit-card deposit, and they’re free to cruise the city for as long as they like (Velib only allows for 30-minute trips). Once they’re finished, they drop the bike off at another station and their deposit is returned. So far, the company has set up 31 rental locations throughout the city, offering 500 bikes, but hopes to have 200 spots and 500,000 bikes on offer by the end of next year.

Customers can purchase a year-long VIP card for 100 yuan ($13.33) or opt to pay hourly (5 yuan ($0.66)/hour) or daily (20 yuan ($2.66)/day) rates. The system seems simple, but the hefty deposit - not to mention that there are few credit card holders in China - and the city’s high rate of bicycle theft could pose problems for Wang’s business. But the eco-conscious entrepreneur is optimistic about his young company, with several bicycle manufacturers competing for his business and banks and insurance companies that were once reluctant to work with him showing increasing interest.

But even if Beijingers can be convinced to take part in the massive bike-swapping system, one obstacle stands: the local government. As the city continues to pave over its bike lanes to make room for more cars, BBRC will need the support of Beijing authorities (who have provided “no active help” thus far, says Wang) to survive.

[via The Christian Science Monitor]