A video has been put up on Facebook to show everyday Singaporeans how to dismantle the locking mechanism for oBikes so the bicycles can be used:

Is it legal to do so?

As this involves destroying property by breaking into the lock, it is highly dubious that it is legal -- even though oBike owes Singaporeans a lot of S$49 deposits that have not been refunded.

These bicycles are still considered assets and any form of destruction to its parts is not okay.

What are the authorities doing?

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it has met up with oBike representatives on June 27, instructing the company to work with its liquidator to remove the bicycles so as not to clutter public streets with bicycles that cannot be hired.

The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) has also said all claims by consumers will not be able to proceed due to a stay of proceedings on all litigation action, upon commencement of oBike’s liquidation.

Consumers are advised to file Proofs of Debt with the appointed liquidator, CASE said.

Upon liquidation, oBike's assets will first be distributed to creditors (such as banks), and contributors (such shareholders who are partly or unpaid).

Chances are oBike has minimal assets remaining, as well as big creditors to pay, so don’t get your hopes up too high of getting your S$49 deposit back.

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