Last January, the Chinese-founded company oBike started rolling out its services in Singapore, discreetly setting down its two-wheelers in the northern and western parts of the island. In the 18 months since, oBike has placed more than 70,000 of its silver-frame and orange-rim bicycles around the island.

And then on June 25, it made an abrupt exit from the market, announcing the move to users via its mobile app, as well as a notice on its Facebook page.