SG Bike folds, users to be moved to rival Anywheel

Homegrown bike-sharing operator SG Bike is reaching the end of its road on 30 April. Following which, the operator will allow its users to convert their existing wallet balance to rival Anywheel's platform. 

The strategic shift in business direction is due to the expiry of SG Bike's license which it will not be renewing. 

"After carefully reviewing our resources, SG Bike is no longer able to continue providing our users with the quality experience we had originally intended to," said a SG Bike spokesperson when MARKETING-INTERACTIVE reached out. 

"We have therefore made this difficult decision to not renew our bike sharing license, and to exit the bike sharing market. In doing so, we have also worked with Anywheel to ensure continuity for our users," it said.

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"As Singapore’s homegrown brand, Anywheel is committed to providing more sustainable transportation options and bringing communities closer together since our launch on World Car Free Day in 2017. We are thankful to SG Bike for laying down the groundwork over the years, which has helped create the vibrant transport ecosystem we're proud to be a part of today," said Anywheel when MARKETING-INTERACTIVE reached out. 

The arrangement between Anywheel and SG Bike was made to ensure the continuity and reliability of bike-sharing services and to minimise disruption to its users in Singapore. 

The arrangement comes into effect today (21 March). In line with that, SG Bike will no longer accept new sign-ups, credit top-ups and the purchase of passes from today. 

As part of the arrangement, only existing SG Bike wallet balances can be transferred and converted to Anywheel as ride-only credits. Ride-only credits can only be used for rides and are not applicable for the purchase of Anywheel's ride coupons, passes and merchandise. 

The transfer and conversion can only be done for the same existing mobile number used to register for a SG Bike and Anywheel account respectively. According to Anywheel's website, it is not possible to transfer and convert between different mobile numbers. 

In tandem, users who transfer and convert their SG Bike wallet balance by 21 April to Anywheel ride-only credits early can enjoy early opt-in incentives. 

The incentive includes a complimentary SG$10 ride-only credits, on top of their existing SG Bike wallet balance. The incentive is applicable to all SG Bike users and they need only have a SG$0 wallet balance or more.

Following a transfer, credits will be reflected on the Anywheel app by 3 May, or earlier. 

That said, users who miss the early-opt in incentive will not require to take any action as their wallet balance will be automatically converted and reflected on the Anywheel app by 3 May. 

SG Bike users can also choose to opt out of the automatic conversion process. 

Users who choose to opt out will no longer be able to use their SG Bike wallet balance from 1 May onwards.

"We trust that our users will continue to enjoy a quality bike sharing experience with Anywheel and we express our most sincere gratitude to our users, Land Transport Authority, partners, and colleagues for the kind support and understanding of this decision," said a SG Bike spokesperson.

"We believe Anywheel will continue on our shared mission to grow bike sharing as a sustainable and accessible transportation, providing a convenient and green transport alternative for everyone in Singapore, and we wish them all the best."

SG Bike was first established in August 2017. It prided itself as the nation's homegrown bike sharing company. 

In its time, it successfully acquired Mobike's license to operate a fleet of 25,000 bicycles and had collaborated with M1 for NB-IoT technology. 

Most recently, the bike-sharing operator collaborated with H&M for the fashion retailer's 10th anniversary in September 2021. 

As part of the campaign, interested participants can cycle exclusively designed H&M x SG Bike bicycles around the Orchard area for free. 

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