THIS summer, Mobike, a bicycle-sharing program, is sweeping Shanghai, with its iconic hot orange wheel hubs seen everywhere in the city.

Launched by Beijing Mobike Technology in April, this Internet-driven, app-enabled program is the world's first public bike rental that doesn't rely on parking poles. Drawing on GPS trackers to monitor every bike's location and smartphones to enable self-help services, the company allows its bikes to be returned anywhere as long as it is public areas for parking. At the same time, the company has to help users fight the temptation to hoard or hide Mobikes.

The modest cost of 1 yuan (15 US cents)per half-hour rental and the ability to leave the bikes in many public areas made the program an immediate success, especially among young people. For them, riding a hot orange bike is both cost-effective and trendy.