Tandem shared bikes removed from Shanghai streets

Over 120 tandem bikes parked along public streets in Shanghai's Songjiang district were removed as bikes for two riders are not allowed on roads and public streets regulated by road traffic safety regulations, jfdaily.com reported on Sunday.

Designed to be ridden by two riders, the tandem bicycles are equipped with two saddles and chain rings, and are painted in black and yellow with the Chinese character "Chao" (which means "fashion" in Chinese) and a sign saying "prohibited to ride on roads" on the frame.

"We did not intend to put tandem bicycles along public streets or roads. The 120 plus tandem bicycles being recalled were to be put in parks and scenic spots, and were temporarily parked along streets by agents while transporting them for shipment," said a woman surnamed Bi, a staff member of Beijing-based Chaopai Co.

"The police then objected to the bicycle unloading and tried to stop them. These bikes remain unopened and have no cycling records, which indicate that they were never ridden by users in the street before," Bi said.

Guo Jianrong, secretary-general of the Shanghai Bicycle Association, said bike riders "can ride tandem bikes for entertainment in parks or other enclosed areas with the permission of relevant administrations."

Known as "chao bikes", the tandem bicycles were launched by Chaopaitechnology Co and unveiled to the public in the last three months in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and cities with dense populations.

To rent one of the tandem bikes, users need to download the "Chao" application, and send telephone and ID numbers to get real-name authentication from the company. Users pay a 99-yuan ($14.90) deposit before being authorized to use a bike.

Cheng Si contributed to this story