Convenience lost if shared bikes cannot use public parking spaces

I disagree with Mrs Anna Chan's view (Bike-sharing firms shouldn't ride on public parking spaces; June 19).

When a person rents a bike, ownership is temporarily transferred to him.

He should be allowed to use any available public parking space, just as a person who rents a car can use public carparks.

Restricting those who rent bikes to parking spaces set up by the firm defeats the objective of allowing people to return and rent bikes from any place convenient to them.

I believe it is better for rental bikes to be parked in places where public transport is available, to encourage commuters to use the bikes instead of motor vehicles.

I hope the Land Transport Authority (LTA) can increase the number of parking spaces in these locations.

In fact, as one bike may be shared by many people, the time it spends parked in a public space will be shorter. In the long run, fewer parking spaces may be needed.

The problem now is the misuse and abuse of the system, which is beyond the purview of the firm.

What is important is for the LTA and bike-sharing firms to work together to educate the public and identify more locations where the public can park their bikes.

Leong Kok Seng

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 26, 2017, with the headline Convenience lost if shared bikes cannot use public parking spaces. Subscribe