MELAKA: The state is on the right track to becoming a leading state in green technology development through the introduction of “Basikal OFO Melaka Eco Green”, a bicycle-sharing service.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the bicycle service, which is linked via the smart application system on mobile phones, would provide an added value to tourists, allowing them to explore the unique tourist products and transport services offered in the state.
“The Basikal OFO Melaka Eco Green service will be able to form a new mindset amongst society, (one that is) based on green technology practices. Encouraging a cycling lifestyle in the city will place Melaka on par with other modern cities (worldwide), besides reducing carbon emission,” he told reporters after launching the service at Dataran Seri Negeri.
A total of 50 cyclists participated in the event, cycling some 10km from Seri Negeri to Casa del Rio hotel in Banda Hilir.
Present were State Secretary Datuk Seri Naim Abu Bakar, mayor Datuk Zainal Husin, OFO Eco Green Asia Pacific business head Lawrence Cao and Malaysia Eco Green OFO managing director Eric Li.
For a start, some 500 bicycles would be placed at strategic tourist locations in the city, including Menara Taming Sari, Restoran Melayu Melaka, Taman Rempah, Dataran 1Malaysia, Melaka International Trade Centre and the Rural Transformation Centre in Sungai Rambai.
Asked whether the introduction of the service would threaten the trishaw industry, which was a part of Melaka’s identity, Idris said it was important for Melaka to improve in terms of offering a diverse choice of transportation services.
Meanwhile, Cao said Melaka was selected as the pioneer state the company “rode into” in Malaysia in its quest to expand its bicycle-sharing services overseas.
He said it was due to the state also being recognised by the United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (Unesco) as a World Heritage Site.
In explaining how the bicycle-sharing mechanism works, he said: “Users must unlock the bicycles by scanning a QR code before being able to use them. The ride rates are from as low as RM1 per hour, with payments being made through selected banks,” he said.
It is learnt that the company, which is from China, also offers similar services in Singapore, Thailand, Japan and the United Kingdom.