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Business students would be familiar with the blue ocean and red ocean strategy. The blue ocean strategy encourages you to come up with new, original ideas that have not existed in the market. On the other hand, the red ocean strategy teaches about challenging existing competition and emerging as the best.
It seems like in Singapore once a new business idea starts thriving other companies start hopping onto the bandwagon in hopes of gaining similar profit and demand. A few weeks after the oBike started gaining popularity in Singapore, residents saw an increase in another kind of bike in town - Ofo.
Founded in 2014, the Beijing based company offers a bike-sharing service with a non-docking platform through the usage of their app which is available in both Chinese and English versions. Previously available in the U.S, U.K and China, Ofo extended to Singapore around the same time the oBike made their debut in our little red dot.
Ever since their launch, about 1,000 Ofo bikes have been seen around areas such as Punggol, West Coast Park and in the city.
Unlike the oBike, Ofo bikes come in a much brighter yellow as well as an adorable mini bike-plate. If you attended the OSIM Sundown Marathon 2 weeks ago, you would have seen these cute minion-colored bikes being featured at the festival booths.
Though Ofo services are currently free, they will be soon be charging $0.50 every half an hour. I'm 100% cool with that since it's much more convenient than oBike's inconvenient deposit scheme.
It seems like in Singapore once a new business idea starts thriving other companies start hopping onto the bandwagon in hopes of gaining similar profit and demand. A few weeks after the oBike started gaining popularity in Singapore, residents saw an increase in another kind of bike in town - Ofo.
Founded in 2014, the Beijing based company offers a bike-sharing service with a non-docking platform through the usage of their app which is available in both Chinese and English versions. Previously available in the U.S, U.K and China, Ofo extended to Singapore around the same time the oBike made their debut in our little red dot.
Ever since their launch, about 1,000 Ofo bikes have been seen around areas such as Punggol, West Coast Park and in the city.
Unlike the oBike, Ofo bikes come in a much brighter yellow as well as an adorable mini bike-plate. If you attended the OSIM Sundown Marathon 2 weeks ago, you would have seen these cute minion-colored bikes being featured at the festival booths.
Though Ofo services are currently free, they will be soon be charging $0.50 every half an hour. I'm 100% cool with that since it's much more convenient than oBike's inconvenient deposit scheme.
How does Ofo work?
Step 1: Obtain a passcode
Log into the Ofo app, type in the number on the bicycle and obtain the passcode.
Step 2: Unlock the Ofo bike
Turn the dial on the lock according to the given password. Once the passcode is keyed in, just press the round button to unlock the Ofo bike.
Step 3: Ride and Return
After you've done using the Ofo bike, lock it by pushing the lock back in and resetting the passcode. When this is done, simply leave it in a bike-parking area and it will be ready for the next user.
How do I sign up?
The Ofo app is available for download on Playstore or the Apple Appstore.
First, you have to sign up using your mobile number and you will receive a verification code.
After verifying your number, you will receive a coupon (only for first-time users) which entitles you to a single ride for free.
First, you have to sign up using your mobile number and you will receive a verification code.
After verifying your number, you will receive a coupon (only for first-time users) which entitles you to a single ride for free.
The Ofo app has a very simple user interface and is extremely easy to navigate. There is also a torchlight function in case you're trying to unlock a bike at night and it's too dark to see the numbers on the bike. How cute!
Promotions
Lucky for us, Ofo seems to be very generous with their discounts and promotions especially for those targeted at students. To get more deets on their latest promotions, you can follow them on Facebook for updates on free rides and voucher giveaways.
Disadvantages
The Ofo bike may be cute but it does have several disadvantages.
1. Lack of bikes
Riders have posted complaints on Facebook regarding the lack of Ofo bikes in their areas, but I'm sure that the number of bikes will grow once the company sees the obvious increase in demand for their services.
2. Inconsiderate riders
Just 3 days ago, Mothership.sg posted an article on an Ofo bike that was chained outside a HDB flat, calling it one of the reasons "Why Singaporeans cannot have nice things", and I completely agree. Sharing services like this rely on the integrity of citizens and this just wouldn't work if people hog it to themselves.
Inconsiderate twats.
Just 3 days ago, Mothership.sg posted an article on an Ofo bike that was chained outside a HDB flat, calling it one of the reasons "Why Singaporeans cannot have nice things", and I completely agree. Sharing services like this rely on the integrity of citizens and this just wouldn't work if people hog it to themselves.
Inconsiderate twats.
3. No GPS Map
Unlike the oBike, there is no GPS system for Ofo and you can only use a bike when you've found it. This can be rather inconvenient if you are desperate for a bike but don't know where to get one. On the other hand, people may just opt for the oBike which can be easily located though their GPS system.
Unlike the oBike, there is no GPS system for Ofo and you can only use a bike when you've found it. This can be rather inconvenient if you are desperate for a bike but don't know where to get one. On the other hand, people may just opt for the oBike which can be easily located though their GPS system.
It seems that bike sharing services are getting rather popular in Singapore, and we will soon start seeing more of them around our homes. I also heard there's another bike sharing service called Mobike which targets tertiary students, and I used to come across a few outside SP's bus stop.
I'm quite excited to see how this plays out in the near future with the increase of sharing and renting services in Singapore. Perhaps my campus should start their own bike sharing system and name in SPobike - just a thought, but I hope SP does take it into consideration.
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2 comments
christania’s “Rent a Bike Copenhagen” bikes are rolling across the city. The system, less than a year old, is funded by christania’s municipal government. It is currently only in one of christania’s 22 administrative districts. Although a 2nd generation system, there are 12 “Houses” in this district, each with around 40 bikes. The yearly subscription cost is the equivalent of $2 US, and allows the use of a bike for up to four hours at a time. In less than a year, there have been 6,000 subscriptions sold. There are larger 3rd generation systems in the world, which do not have a subscription to bike ratio as big as that.
ReplyDeleteThey should provide bike locks also with the bikes. Safety comes first. Suppose you are a tourist and took a bike for rent. You park it and go somewhere for some time and after coming back you saw the bike is not there. Just imagine what kind of embarrassing situation that would be.
ReplyDelete