Bike-sharing scheme set to arrive in Oxford after it is rolled out in Cambridge

Chinese bike-sharing startup pedals into Oxford after its successful trial in Cambridge

Popular in China, Ofo will launch in Oxford (Ofo)

A bike sharing scheme popular in China is set to launch in Oxford, after it was successfully rolled out in Cambridge last month.

Ofo will introduce 100 yellow bikes to the cycle-friendly city throughout the rest of August. They will be available to hire through the company’s smartphone app.

Rides will cost 50p for every half an hour and bikes can be dropped off anywhere. Unlike its compatriot rival Mobike, which in July announced plans to launch 750 bikes in west London in early September, Ofo does not require a deposit before use.

The Chinese startup says its bikes are fully accredited with Bikeplus, an accreditation scheme with a set of standards approved by local authorities.

Antonia Roberts, director of Bikeplus, said she felt it was important “that there is a mechanism for maintaining high standards” during a time of “rapid growth” within the bike-sharing market.

Joseph Seal-Driver, UK director at Ofo, said: “We’re extremely excited to be entering a city that is actively demonstrating a passion for cycling and tackling air pollution and congestion.”

The company was launched in Beijing in 2014. Like Mobike, it operates on a smartphone app basis and users unlock bike with a QR code.

Ofo raised over £541m in a round of financing in July. It launched in Seattle last week and expects to enter Japan later in the year.

Both Ofo and Mobike reportedly raised $1bn each late last year.