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These photos of dockless bike graveyards should serve as omens for Chinese cities

These photos of dockless bike graveyards should serve as omens for Chinese cities

Chinese cities have experienced a rapid rise in dockless bikes in recent years.

These photos of dockless bike graveyards should serve as omens for Chinese cities

Riders are charged a few pennies per 30-minute ride, a very low price compared to similar bike-sharing programs in other countries. New York's docked bikes, for example, cost $3 for a 30-minute ride.

Riders are charged a few pennies per 30-minute ride, a very low price compared to similar bike-sharing programs in other countries. New York

To make sure the bikes would always be available, Chinese bike-sharing startups placed thousands of them in cities across the country.

To make sure the bikes would always be available, Chinese bike-sharing startups placed thousands of them in cities across the country.

But due largely to a lack of demand, several bike-sharing startups have gone bankrupt in China.

But due largely to a lack of demand, several bike-sharing startups have gone bankrupt in China.

In an open letter last year following Bluegogo's bankruptcy, the company's CEO apologized for expanding too quickly, and admitted that he had been "filled with arrogance."

Many of the bikes — casualties of the boom and bust of the country's bike-sharing industry — now lie abandoned in piles.

Many of the bikes — casualties of the boom and bust of the country

The declining industry raises questions about the future of bike sharing in China.

The declining industry raises questions about the future of bike sharing in China.

But not long ago, bikes were a common form of transportation in the country.

But not long ago, bikes were a common form of transportation in the country.

By the mid-1990s, China had up to 523 million bike owners. Bikes were especially popular in Beijing, where there were 72 bikes for every 100 people.

By the mid-1990s, China had up to 523 million bike owners. Bikes were especially popular in Beijing, where there were 72 bikes for every 100 people.

Source: CityLab

But as cars became a status symbol around the turn of the 21st century, China started instituting anti-biking policies. Guangzhou repurposed bike lanes for cars, and Dalian declared itself a "non-bicycle city."

But as cars became a status symbol around the turn of the 21st century, China started instituting anti-biking policies. Guangzhou repurposed bike lanes for cars, and Dalian declared itself a "non-bicycle city."

Bike use plummeted, and personal-vehicle use — and CO2 levels — rose.

Bike use plummeted, and personal-vehicle use — and CO2 levels — rose.

In an effort to make bikes popular again, around 30 bike-sharing startups launched in the past few years — to varying success.

In an effort to make bikes popular again, around 30 bike-sharing startups launched in the past few years — to varying success.

Since the bikes can be dropped off anywhere, riders sometimes leave them in front yards, parks, shops, and other inconvenient place. The photo below shows a pile of bikes some 10 feet high in a Shenzhen plaza.

Since the bikes can be dropped off anywhere, riders sometimes leave them in front yards, parks, shops, and other inconvenient place. The photo below shows a pile of bikes some 10 feet high in a Shenzhen plaza.

In March 2017, China mandated that companies must hire one maintenance worker for every 200 bikes. That meant the industry needed to add as many as 15,000 employees, which likely hurt their bottom lines.

In March 2017, China mandated that companies must hire one maintenance worker for every 200 bikes. That meant the industry needed to add as many as 15,000 employees, which likely hurt their bottom lines.

The bike graveyards now serve as reminders of a declining industry that grew too quickly.

The bike graveyards now serve as reminders of a declining industry that grew too quickly.

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