GBike, which operates the personal mobility (PM) sharing platform GCOO, has launched its service in mainland USA, marking the first instance of a domestic brand doing so.
GCOO has become the first domestic company to venture into the US, which is not only the cradle of shared PM services but also the largest market in the world. Currently, PMs operate in over 200 cities with annual rides exceeding 108 million as of 2021, indicating a substantial demand.
The first US market entry for GCOO was the city of Memphis in Tennessee, where they started operations with 1,000 electric scooters on July 18. In August, they plan to expand by adding another 1,000 scooters in Los Angeles, the base for global PM companies like Lime and Bird. Riding on the success in these two regions, GCOO aims to service a fleet of approximately 8,000 electric scooters and electric bicycles across various US cities by the end of the year.
Furthermore, the American operational models are expected to see significant improvements in ride stability with the introduction of larger wheels. While in Korea, the maximum weight for PMs is limited to 30kg, which sets a constraint on the wheel size currently at 10 inches, the relatively relaxed weight regulations in the US allow for the introduction of larger wheels. Devices with a front wheel size expanded to 12 inches will be serviced, offering stability that meets international standards.
The case of GCOO's entry into the US market is also significant for the industry. Contrary to Korea, where businesses can start without much of a reporting or permit process, the US categorizes shared PM business under a permit system. Only businesses that meet the stringent requirements set by local governments for operating infrastructure and safety guidelines can obtain permits to operate in their cities. This marks the first time a brand grown in the Korean market has met international standards.
Jong-su Yoon, the CEO of G-Bike, expressed his pride, "Starting service as the first Korean company in the US, where shared PM originated, fills me with immense pride." He added, "Based on the operational know-how gained in the fiercely competitive Korean market, we are confident of showing our competitiveness even among international companies."
Jason Kim, the head of G-Bike USA, remarked, "We've been preparing for a long time for the US service launch, and to finally be at the starting line brings new emotions." He continued, "As the first domestic brand to enter the world's largest market, we will approach operations with the mindset of representing the Korean PM industry."
Meanwhile, to commemorate the launch of its service starting in Memphis, GCOO is conducting a special event. They plan to randomly select users of GCOO in Korea and offer them tickets to the musical 'Memphis' currently being performed at the Chungmu Art Center.
