PHOTOS: 'Tuhao Gold' Shared Bikes Debut in China
By Bridget O'Donnell
Well folks, the inevitable is here: 'tuhao gold' shared bikes are now a thing in China.
Look out, Mobike and Ofo!
Earlier this week, photos circulating online showed fancy gold bicycles making their grand debut on the streets of Hangzhou. The shiny bikes (ouch, our eyes!) come in a special shade known as 'tuhao gold,' a color used to poke fun at China's nouveau riche.
The blindingly bright bikes come from yet another bike share company known as "Cool Qi Bike" (酷骑单车, or Kuqi Danche in Chinese), which, incidentally, sounds a lot like "Gucci."
They have a relatively high deposit fee of RMB298. The cost per 30-minute ride is RMB1.5.
The ultra-luxurious bikes come equipped with a Haier wireless USB charging port for both Android AND Apple devices — including the giant iPhone 6 Plus.
Trial operations for the bikes are being carried out in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Xi'an, according to Netease.
At this point there aren't many colors left for new bike share startups to add to the already-crowded bike share rainbow.
READ MORE: 3 Things You Can Now Rent With Chinese Sharing Apps
[Images via HNR, Netease, Hangzhou.com.cn, Sina, Netease // h/t @NateyBakes]
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