HelloRide gets warning over attempted price discussions with competitor

Singapore's competition watchdog has issued a warning to bike-sharing operator HelloRide after a company representative attempted to initiate pricing discussions with rival Anywheel on two occasions in 2025.

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) said the approaches were made in July and October last year, when a key HelloRide representative contacted an Anywheel representative to propose pricing discussions between the two companies.

HelloRide and Anywheel are currently the only two licensed operators of shared bicycle services in Singapore, offering short-term bicycle rentals through their respective mobile apps.

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According to CCS, Anywheel did not engage with HelloRide on either occasion and instead reported the communications to the watchdog. The complaints subsequently prompted CCS to investigate whether the approaches breached the Competition Act.

The investigation found that HelloRide's communications did not involve the disclosure of commercially sensitive information, while no actual pricing discussions took place between the two operators. CCS therefore found that HelloRide's conduct did not infringe section 34 of the Competition Act.

However, the watchdog stressed that its finding was specific to the circumstances of the case, including Anywheel's refusal to participate in the proposed discussions and its decision to report the matter.

CCS added that it "does not condone" HelloRide's conduct, noting that because HelloRide and Anywheel are Singapore's only licensed shared bicycle operators, any discussions or coordination on pricing between them would likely have a direct and significant impact on competition and consumers.

The regulator also reminded businesses approached by competitors about anti-competitive information exchanges to immediately decline to participate, distance themselves from the discussions and report the matter to CCS.

Businesses already involved in anti-competitive conduct can approach CCS under its leniency programme, which may provide a full waiver or substantial reduction in financial penalties in exchange for information about anti-competitive agreements. Individuals with information about cartel activity in Singapore may also report it through CCS' reward and whistle-blowing scheme.

“CCS commends Anywheel for not engaging with HelloRide’s invitation to discuss prices and for reporting the matter to CCS. Anywheel’s conduct is what we expect of responsible market participants, and we want to assure businesses in similar positions that coming forward will always be the right course of action," said Alvin Koh, chief executive of CCS.

He added, "This case is a reminder to all businesses that they must act independently when determining their conduct on the market. CCS will not hesitate to take enforcement action against businesses that are found to have engaged in anti-competitive conduct.” 

In a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, a HelloRide spokesperson said, "We welcome CCS's conclusion that HelloRide did not infringe Section 34 of the Competition Act. As CCS confirmed, there was no wrongdoing, infringement, no commercially sensitive information was exchanged, and no actual pricing discussion took place."

"Our original outreach was made in the context of rising MRT fares at the time and the broader implications for transport operators in Singapore. It is unfortunate that the receiving party interpreted the outreach as an invitation to discuss shared bicycle pricing. That was not our intention, nor was the outreach framed in those terms, and no such discussion ultimately took place," the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said the company had not intended or sought to coordinate or raise prices with another operator, adding that its focus remained on keeping shared bicycle services affordable and accessible. The spokesperson also added HelloRide respected CCS’ guidance and acknowledged the regulator’s broader reminder for businesses to exercise caution when communicating with competitors.

"We have always operated in full compliance with Singapore's competition rules and remain committed to fair and independent competition. This outcome of no infringement is in line with our position throughout the investigation and is therefore not unexpected. We are pleased that the matter has concluded and remain focused on fair competition and improving shared bicycle services in Singapore," said the spokesperson. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information.

The warning comes amid broader scrutiny by CCS over business practices that could harm consumers. Last year, the watchdog took action against Courts and PRISM+ over website design features it found had misled consumers or pressured them into unintended purchases.

In Courts' case, CCS found that unsolicited products had been automatically added to shoppers' carts during certain promotional periods, describing the practice as an unfair trade practice. In one instance, an Acer vacuum cleaner was added to a consumer's cart after the shopper selected an Apple iPad for purchase.

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