Beijing bike-sharing providers required to supply insurance
Beijing's 11 governmental departments have collaborated to issue guidelines to providers of publicly shared bikes, including the mandatory purchasing of life accident insurance and the prohibition of use by children under the age of 12. In addition, all bikes must have GPS, meet minimum safety standards and may not carry advertising. The regulations were based on studies of bicycle-sharing start-ups Mobike and Ofo, as well as rules laid down in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu.
Shared bikes clutter a street in Xicheng District, Beijing, Sept. 15, 2017. (Photo/ Ecns.cn）

(ECNS) -- Beijing is requiring providers of public shared bikes to purchase life accident insurance while banning children under 12 from using them and prohibiting commercial advertisements on the two-wheelers, according to a new guideline.

Jointly issued by Beijing's 11 governmental departments, the guideline aims to regulate the booming bike-sharing industry while acknowledging that it's a green solution to traffic congestion and flexible mobility.

The rules require all bikes to have GPS and meet safety standards. Users must register with their IDs and companies providing the bikes have the responsibility to remind them of safety information and provide accident insurance. The companies also need to open special accounts to save user deposits.

Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport said the guideline was based on studies of Mobike, Ofo and other startups as well as administration practices in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu.

Beijing's 15 bike-sharing companies have altogether placed 2.35 million bikes across the city. New additions were banned in the city.

The guideline also made it clear that electric bikes will not be encouraged here.

Beijing is still working on more specific technical standards and parking requirements to be released later under the newly introduced guideline.