Uber Bikes for Manchester

[MossCommuter]

They're calling them Uber Bikes because of the app and GPS element I suppose but anyway, this Grauniad piece describes a new system of dockless hire bikes.

'Uber for bikes': Chinese firm eyes global dominion with launch in Manchester

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/...al-ofo?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

I hope they work but I can see them all, quite legitimately, migrating down Oxford Road to the student village never to be seen in town again or possibly congregating in popular areas locked to private properties (pissing off the occupants ). They're going to need to be cheap too; I can travel anywhere, all day, on a £4.20 Stagecoach Day Rider.

 

[MossCommuter]

I paid my deposit (£29 until the end of July and then £49) and tried out a Mobike today.

It works seamlessly. The app didn't miss a beat, you reserve a bicycle on the app and then go find it with GPS, scan the QR code and it magically unlocks the rear wheel. You ride and then leave it. Anywhere! They want you to leave it in a recognised bicycle parking place and they award points if you leave it in a favoured one.

Points are deducted for misdemeanours and if your points drop to zero you can't unlock a bicycle.

The bicycle itself is, errm, functional. Single speed in a very low ratio (but I ride 42x16 so possibly not the best judge) and very small. I got off to try to extend the seat but it was already maxed out. The brakes are very effective, kind of on or off. Luggage rack is pointless.

50p per trip but i have no idea how long I could have kept it before that was more.

The two I've used I parked by cycle stands and both were gone a short while later so they are being used.

I'll use them again.

 

[John the Monkey]

Saw my first one on Thursday, outside the optometry building on the old UMIST campus. Useful review, Mossy!

 

[straas]

You get 30 minutes for the 50p. They can't be locked to anything so whenever parked should be available to all. Parking them somewhere private or inaccessible or using your own lock will cost you all your credit and prevent you from being able to use the bikes again.

I found the basket pretty handy for carrying a bag. I think the majority of the bikes will remain within town, you probably wouldn't want to do more than 3 miles on them

 

[MossCommuter]

I did wonder how many will end up in a canal. Are they alarmed if they move while locked?

 

[classic33]

You get 30 minutes for the 50p. They can't be locked to anything so whenever parked should be available to all. Parking them somewhere private or inaccessible or using your own lock will cost you all your credit and prevent you from being able to use the bikes again.

I found the basket pretty handy for carrying a bag. I think the majority of the bikes will remain within town, you probably wouldn't want to do more than 3 miles on them

What happens if you happen to be actually moving at 30 minutes?

 

[straas]

You get charged another 50p. I think if your account is out of credit it slows the bike to a stop then locks the wheel.

 

[confusedcyclist]

You get charged another 50p. I think if your account is out of credit it slows the bike to a stop then locks the wheel.

This begs for some nasty unintended consequences.

 

[MossCommuter]

You get charged another 50p. I think if your account is out of credit it slows the bike to a stop then locks the wheel.

That can't be right, can it? (or have I missed the joke?)

 

[straas]

The bike slowing? Apparently not - I think an alarm sounds to notify you, but if you didn't know beforehand you'd not know what it was for anyway...

They're meant to introduce a geofence aswell which stops the bike if it leaves a predefined area - I suppose the trial might be to help them decide where this geofence lies...

 

[fossyant]

Saw my first two outside co-op Hulme. Only one when I went in the store and two when I came out.

 

[Bazzer]

Ah,that's what they were.
When I was walking along Deansgate this morning, these was a guy on a custom made low slung bike with a couple of these on a trailer. He was dropping them off at a bike park with around half a dozen of these bikes already there.

 

[fossyant]

Looks like you can park them more or less anywhere.

 

[MossCommuter]

Looks like you can park them more or less anywhere.

Yes, though not indoors or on private property.

 

[fossyant]

I can see them being handy to get into the city centre from where I am in a few minutes rather than 20 min walk.