On June 15, at an exhibition hall in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Hu Weiwei, founder of Chinese bike-sharing startup Mobike Technology Co Ltd, was busy explaining the company's philosophy to government officials from different countries.

The former journalist articulated her views on how bike-sharing services can help ease urban traffic congestion and build smart transportation projects in Western cities.

They heard her in rapt attention. They had heard of Mobile and its phenomenal success in China. Just a day earlier, Mobike announced it would place 1,000 bicycles on the streets of Manchester, England, by June-end, marking its first major expansion outside of Asia.