MPSJ to revoke licence of bicycle-sharing company
METRO NEWS
Monday, 12 Feb 2018
by priya menon
Teng says the state encourages cycling and bicycle-sharing apps through efforts such as the launch of MPSJ’s first bicycle track.
The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has decided to revoke the temporary licence of a bicycle-sharing company after it failed to install a geofencing system to curb indiscriminate parking of the two-wheelers.
The company had been roped in last year for a pilot project to introduce bicycle sharing or renting in SS15, Subang Jaya, and was asked to install the geofencing system as part of the project’s requirement.
State executive councillor Datuk Teng Chang Khim said the system was necessary to ensure users parked the rented bicycles at designated spots to prevent obstruction or vandalism.
“The bicycle will only lock once it is parked at the designated area, and until then, the rider will continue to be charged rental,” he said.
Teng said indiscriminate parking of the rented bicycles was a problem MPSJ as well as other local authorities around the world faced with the bicycle-sharing system.
In Guangzhou, China, Teng said the government was forced to fork out RM6.3mil to dispose of bicycles that were indiscriminately parked.
“It costs a lot if we do not have a proper system in place which is why we want to start off on the right foot,” he stressed.
When contacted, the company declined to comment as they had yet to receive any notice from the council.
MPSJ is currently discussing terms with a new bicycle-sharing company to reintroduce the pilot project.
“If everything works out with the new company, we will announce the pilot project soon.
“This is important for the state as we are encouraging cycling and bicycle-sharing apps,” Teng said at the launch of the new MPSJ bicycle track in Putra Heights.
The route is 15.46km long and is the first in the council’s jurisdiction.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/02/12/mpsj-to-revoke-licence-of-bicyclesharing-company/#d1kJlKWSYUGTT8Kw.99
