(Yicai Global) Oct. 12 -- Ofo, a Chinese bicycle-sharing platform owned by Beijing Bikelock Technology Co., has officially debuted its service in Washington, DC to make further inroads into the North American market.

 The firm will place some 400 bikes in the District within a week.

 It has previously rolled into three other American cities – Seattle, Washington and Worcester and Riverville in Massachusetts, and plans to introduce more services across the country, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported yesterday. Washingtonians can ride Ofo bikes for free in the next couple of weeks. Promotional contests will run afterward, with winners to get another five free rides. All its cycles will be equipped with a new-generation smart lock system with high-precision positioning and Big Data features.

 Ofo now operates in 13 countries and regions including the UK, Russia and Italy.