(Yicai Global) Oct.17 -- Beijing Mobike Technology Co., parent of Mobike, the world's first and largest smart bike-sharing company, is introducing its dockless service to Suwon, South Korea's 'eco-capital', in partnership with the city government.

This will be the Beijing-based company's first city in South Korea. To retain its commitment to environmental sustainability, Mobike is aligned with the Suwon government vision of transforming the city into a people-centered, environmentally friendly eco-city much like Cologne.   

It is in keeping with South Korea's government Green New Deal stimulus program to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, almost double the national target.

Mobike can also boast of green credentials as by mid-2017, their users had collectively cycled over 5.6 billion kilometers, equivalent to reducing CO2 emissions by more than 1.26 million tons, or taking 350,000 cars off the road for a year, per WWF China data.

Since the successful inaugural EcoMobility Festival in Suwon in 2013, Suwon's municipal government continues to explore ways to encourage citizens to take up cycling as a preferred mode of transportation, including expanding sidewalks and introducing other related infrastructure to reduce car use.

With Mobike's entry, the city's existing 350 km network of bike lanes will be expanded with the mapping of cycling infrastructure across the city, helping to optimize connectivity with other public transport options and contribute towards traffic reduction.

"Suwon is keen on integrating energy efficiency and low carbon technologies with smart city innovations for a better urban environment. Supporting Mobike's launch in our city not only increases the cooperation between government and business, but also contributes greatly to our city's eco-mobility landscape." Kim Chul-woo, Manager of Road Management Division, City of Suwon said.

In common with other bike-sharing schemes, the process of subscription necessitates the collection of user data. Once the Mobikes are rolled out in Suwon by the end of the year, data insights from its smart IoT platform can be leveraged to support city planners in improving cycling infrastructure and promoting greater bike use amongst urban residents.

"Mobike's smart bike-share service is an urban mobility solution designed to fulfill the eco ambitions of smart cities by providing residents with a convenient and sustainable mode of transport. As a model ecocity in Korea and the region at large, Suwon is key to the nation's sustainable development, and we are pleased to be working side-by-side with the city government to bring the city one step closer to realizing its ambitions for a smarter, greener city." Hu Weiwei, the founder of Mobike, said.