What happened: Bike rental firm Mobike is prohibiting riders from parking outside of specified operational areas. The company has set a boundary that determines how far away from the city center users can park their bikes. If they park outside this zone, they will be alerted by text message. Repeated offenders of parking violations will be fined an unspecified amount, and those who comply will be awarded coupons.
Why it’s important: The move to limit where bikes can be parted comes at a time in which the Chinese government is seeking to regulate bike sharing companies and limit their footprints within major cities. Local governments in numerous cities around the country have banned companies from introducing more bikes in order to counter sidewalks crowded by parked bicycles/ Additionally, some cities have created rules concerning the lifespan of individual bicycles and stopped companies advertising on the bikes and within apps.