BEIJING, China – Beijing-based bikesharing company Mobike recently held its first press event after its acquisition by online services giant Meituan Dianping in April. One of the main topics was the launch of their first E-bike which is co-designed with Dutch design firm Springtime. It brings power-assisted and even full electric cycling to Mobike's bikesharing.
Mobike is the world's largest smart bikeshare company in the world. Currently, Mobike operates in over 200 cities around the world, with more than 9 million bikes on the streets. In order to expand their service, the company is now expanding into public e-bikes.
The Mobike e-bike will initially be introduced in China, followed by key International markets. At those European and U.S. markets Mobike will have to deal with obstacles in the form of regulations. In addition to the fact that Mobike's e-bike will have to meet the technical requirements imposed by the European Union on electric bicycles, the company will also be confronted with anti-dumping charges on electric bicycles that are imported in China. In the United States, Mobike will also have to comply with regulations that the individual States stipulate regarding the use of e-bikes. In addition, the Trump government recently imposed an import tax of 25% on imports of e-bikes from China.