Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    THE city’s traffic police authority will regulate illegal parking of app-based bikes by imposing a fine of 20 yuan (US$2.87) on violators.

    There are around 60,000 such bicycles on Shenzhen streets and the number is expected to reach around 100,000 as several app-based bicycle operators in the city are gearing up for competition in the Shenzhen market.

    With the popularity of app-based bikes, problems such as illegal parking also rise.

    According to a joint declaration announced by the traffic police bureau and the Mobike operator, the traffic police authority will build a bike user platform based on Mobike’s ID-based user registration system.

    “Since the Mobike company uses an ID-based registration system for its users, we can learn, by using its data, which bicycle riders illegally park the bicycles and impose fines,” Liu Yuchi, section chief of Parking Lot Administration Section of the traffic police bureau, said at a news conference Friday.

    Liu said the use of bike apps has provided a way for police to manage bicycles. traffic police will release guidance for app-based bike users, including designated and restricted parking areas and how to handle app-based bike related accidents.

    Teng Fei, general manager with Mobike Shenzhen, said that the company hoped to set an example in Shenzhen for app-based bike parking in other cities in China.

    Data shows that 219 road deaths involving pedestrians, bicycles and tricycles have been reported so far this year, accounting for 59 percent of the total accident fatalities.