Eco-Friendly VS Profit–Should Bicycle Rental Service continue?
Sep 25th, 2012 by Shawn Li
Ever since 2008 Beijing Olympics, many private businesses in major Chinese cities began to seize the opportunity of Bicycle Rental Service due to the overwhelming positive reputation it gained during the Olympic times. Since bikes do not drink gasoline and releases no pollution to the environment, it seems to be a better option to choose bikes over cars while traveling in cities.
However, as an increasing number of rental bike booths begin to spread across china, some negative sides of this service are getting revealed to the society.
One factor affecting the service is that it earns really low profit. Although people are getting used to rent bikes, most of them simply ride less than an hour per rent which means no payment is required after they have purchased a membership card. Businesses cannot have enough income to cover their cost.
Another factor is that the reliance on cars still exists among residents in China. Most people still prefer cars as driving shows their superior social status. Thus, still not many people use the service.
After all, the Bicycle Rental Service is eco-friendly. But if there’s no profit, who is going to run it?
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-09/24/content_15776608.htm