Regulation of Use and Storage of Bicycles Operated by Bicycle-sharing Companies

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Transport (a) what are the measures regulating the use and storage of bicycles operated by commercial bicycle-sharing companies; (b) what recourse do cyclists have when these bicycles take up their parking places; and (c) what recourse do residents and commercial entities have when such bicycles are left on their premises.

In public spaces, shared bicycles are subject to the same parking rules as all other bicycles. They cannot be parked outside of bicycle parking racks and demarcated parking areas, as this may cause obstruction or inconvenience to the public.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has set up a feedback channel with bicycle-sharing operators to inform them to remove illegally-parked bicycles expeditiously. Members of the public who come across illegally-parked bicycles in public places can inform LTA or the bicycle-sharing operators directly. LTA, together with other Government agencies, will strictly enforce against illegal parking. Enforcement action will include the impounding of bicycles and fines.

The Government is also working to provide more bicycle parking in areas where there is a shortfall. We have already begun introducing bicycle parking zones at seven Mass Rapid Transit stations2. These are demarcated by yellow painted boxes on the ground and are open to both privately-owned and shared bicycles. We intend to implement more such zones and also more bicycle parking racks at other public areas.

As for private spaces, including commercial and residential developments, the owners have the right to remove objects left on their property without permission. We would suggest that bicycle-sharing companies engage private development owners before operating bicycle-sharing services on their premises or making use of their bicycle parking.