ofo

Ofo is a Chinese dockless bicycle-sharing company that began in Beijing in 2014. It popularized a model in which bicycles could be located and unlocked via a mobile app using GPS and a QR code, eliminating the need for fixed docking stations. The service expanded rapidly within China and later to international markets, positioning itself as one of the leading players in the early dockless bike-sharing wave. The company attracted substantial funding from venture capital and technology partners to support fleet expansion and operations.

In its growth phase, Ofo faced intense competition from other dockless operators, most notably Mobike, as well as growing regulatory scrutiny. Cities grappled with issues such as fleet clutter, improper parking, and safety concerns, which led to stricter licensing, parking rules, and caps on fleet sizes in some areas. The business model relied on high-volume usage and rapid fleet turnover, but sustaining profitability proved difficult amid operating costs, maintenance, and debt obligations.

From 2018 onward, Ofo encountered financial pressures, reported cash-flow problems, and proceeded to scale back operations in several markets. By the following years, many international deployments were reduced or withdrawn, and the company undertook restructuring efforts to focus on core markets and internal operations. Today, the Ofo brand persists in some regions, but it is no longer viewed as a dominant global player in bike sharing. The rise and decline of Ofo is frequently cited in discussions of the challenges facing dockless mobility ecosystems.