Beidou satellite helps with shared electric bikes

Parking and traffic jams are not problems anymore for residents in Wuhan, Hubei province, who use environmentally friendly shared electric bikes. But the bikes' regulation and safety issues have been worrying.  

To solve the problems, about 1,000 shared electric bikes connected with the Beidou Navigation Satellite System are being tested in the Wuhan Future City development zone. Testing is expected to be enlarged this year.  

Shared electric bikes equipped with BDS can recognize virtual electronic fences around certain areas to ensure users ride and park within specified areas. If users get outside the given space, they are charged extra fees, and their bike's power will be cut off.

Riders have given positive feedbacks so far, according to the program's manager, Yu Feng. In the testing zone, more than 90 percent of the time the shared bikes are parked correctly. 

Other user guidelines are similar with those of normal shared bikes, including real-name authentication for the mobile app, guaranteed deposits or connections with Alibaba's Zhima Credit and scanning to unlock.

Tang Ziye contributed to the story.