Cities across China have been buzzing with the sound of spinning bike hubs and handlebar-mounted bells ever since bike-sharing services were introduced in the country three years ago. But the ubiquity of bikes anyone can use has also given rise to theft and vandalism. Authorities in southwest China's Chengdu City have issued the nation's first regulations on shared bikes.

Severely disfigured bicycles were found in rural Chengdu in February. Images like this have gone viral online, triggering heated debate regarding the behavior of those who threaten to put slow the industry's rise.

Responding to the furor, the city government of Chengdu issued a trial document on Friday, saying the protection of public and private property is now the responsibility of all residents. These include shared bikes and parking facilities.

Liu Bing, Chairman of Chengdu Transport Commission, says the majority of people can properly use shared bikes and handle them well. However, there still exists a small proportion of the population who treat the bikes badly. The government needs to take immediate action and stop the behavior, as they will undermine the industry's development.

Based on the new regulations, deliberately damaging these shared bikes will now be punishable by law. Zhang Jiheng, a local resident, says the regulations should be human-centered and friendly so that people can accept them easily. It's better that they are not made in a serious way, because the purpose of abiding by these regulations is to ensure the industry's growth.

The document also details responsibilities shared by the government, the public and bike-sharing companies. It highlights the protection of public interest, and calls for companies to introduce customized services.

Steven Li, expansion general manager of Mobike, says the company is responsible for designing products suited to the market. But he hopes to establish a communication mechanism with the government.

There are nearly three million shared bikes in China today. Experts point out that, despite new regulations, some areas remain hard to supervise, like the companies' management of deposits. But more local governments are expected to share the burden this year.‍