SINGAPORE - Bicycle-sharing firm ofo bike has launched a new credit rating system to encourage positive user behaviour, following the recent spate of bicycle abuse cases where users threw the bicycles into canals and down from Housing Board blocks.

With the new system, each user will be credited 100 points. If these credits are reduced to zero, the user will be permanently suspended, an ofo bike spokesman told The Straits Times on Tuesday (June 27).

"This includes damaging the ofo bicycle and violating traffic rules," said the spokesman.

"On the other hand, positive user behaviour such as reporting a broken bike will allow for users to earn ofo credits. The new credit system is now live on our app."

He added that in the current fleet in Singapore, less than 1 per cent of ofo's bicycles are mishandled.

"Of course, we do not take these isolated cases lightly, and hope to discourage negative user behaviour with our new credit system and ongoing education," he said.

The company has also lodged a police report regarding the latest incident - where a 47-year-old man threw an ofo bike from Block 11 Upper Boon Keng Road on June 22.

"We are currently working very closely with the relevant authorities to investigate into the matter thoroughly," said the ofo spokesman.

"This is something that goes beyond bicycle damage and poses a threat to the safety of everyone around."

On the flipside, ofo bike has been seeing some support online.

"Following the recent bike abuse incidents, many users have left messages of support on our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) condemning these negative actions."