Wuhan government’s trial free bicycle scheme that started last October has been deemed a success, with none of the 1,000 bicycles involved being stolen. Local residents can apply for special credit cards to rent the bicycles free at one point and return them at another. The companies that provide the bicycles use the outlets and the bicycles themselves as vehicles for commercial advertisements, thereby getting a return on investment.

As a sign of adopting a greener transport policy, the local government plans to extend coverage of the scheme in the city this year to some 20,000 bicycles.