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Free Access to Melbourne Bike Share 19 to 26 December

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Free Access to Melbourne Bike Share 19 to 26 December
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tarawa on 12/12/2016 - 22:34 melbournebikeshare.com.au (994 clicks)
Last edited 18/12/2016 - 20:51

When Telstra turned off their 2G network,
Melbourne Bike Share didn't know they were using Telstra 2G and it just went offline.
Edit: Thanks @bengal tiger - Actually they did know, but there was a hardware fault

According to it's website, the Melbourne bike share network just came back on line
To compensate their annual subscribers, RACV is extending those who had a membership by six months.

For everyone else:
RACV will be providing free access to all riders who hire a blue bike from 19 to 26 December (normally $3 per day).

Important: Standard excess charges will apply when bikes are held for more than 30 minutes by casual riders.
Basically that means you'll get the standard 30 minutes on the bike free, then you have to return the bike to any bike station within the time limit to avoid charges, you can then immediately rent another bike for another 30 minutes for free.

I should also mention there's a $50 security deposit/authorisation hold on your credit card, it'll be refunded after a few days

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle Bike Share Instagrampost

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Melbourne Bike Share
Melbourne Bike Share

closed Comments

  • jv on 12/12/2016 - 22:41
    +3

    when bikes are held for more than 30 minutes

    What happens if the dock at your destination is full? How do you return it and avoid the overtime fees ?

    • tarawa on 12/12/2016 - 22:42
      +4

      well, this question is answered in the FAQ on the website:

      The station I’ve arrived at is full and my time is almost up. What do I do?

      Despite our best efforts occasionally stations become full. If you find that this has happened use your Melbourne Bike Share Key (credit card for casual users) to identify yourself at the station to receive an extra 15 minutes – enough time to ride to the next

      • jv on 12/12/2016 - 22:43
        +9

        an extra 15 minutes – enough time to ride to the next

        WT !!!

        Doesn't that defeat the purpose of using the bike to get to where you need to get to ???

        • tarawa on 12/12/2016 - 22:45
          +1

          you'll just have to walk back to the last

        • jv on 12/12/2016 - 22:46
          +3

          @aroryo:

          walk back

          Might as well walk in the first place then…

        • NeggerOfDeals on 13/12/2016 - 00:43
          +2

          @jv:

          I was in Melbourne a few weeks ago and saw that. It's such a backwards idea.

        • bargainslut on 13/12/2016 - 02:35
          +18

          Considering they were unaware of the 2G situation I'd say management aren't the sharpest knives in the draw.

        • dasher86 on 13/12/2016 - 06:33
          +2

          @bargainslut:
          So they're butter knives?

        • Elias11 on 13/12/2016 - 08:02

          What other solution is there?
          It needs to be returned to it's base, otherwise, no one would return them.

        • callum9999 on 13/12/2016 - 09:27
          +3

          @jv: So instead of cycling 5km and occasionally having to walk an extra 500m to the next station, you'd just walk the 5km every day?

          While certainly an inconvenience, I can hardly see what else they're meant to do.

        • jv on 13/12/2016 - 10:06
          +1

          @callum9999:

          I can hardly see what else they're meant to do.

          Pre-book your destination.

        • dasher86 on 13/12/2016 - 11:07
          +2

          @aroryo:
          nah just use your other credit card and hire another bike and do swapsies.
          then you have 30 mins to do it again. and more time to find another base.

        • ezzaf on 14/12/2016 - 08:43

          It does, if it happens. It's highly unlikely to actually occur however. I walk past bike share stations regularly I very rarely see one full. I've never gone to park a bike and not had room for it either.

          You can see free space on the map (http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/stationmap) to check before you ride somewhere if you want to make certain. Much more convenient that trying to park a car in the city, that's for sure :-).

        • jv on 14/12/2016 - 09:26

          @ezzaf:

          It's highly unlikely to actually occur however.

          ANZ Collins St is currently full according to your link…

          The nearest other one is a few blocks away…

        • ezzaf on 14/12/2016 - 09:53

          @jv: Fair point, unlikely to occur to you regularly would have been a better way to put it. I'd choose having to drop by bike off 5 minutes walk away over dealing with packed trains (when they're not cancelled) or congested roads.

          But yes, it would be a pain when it happened and preferable if they could avoid it.

        • apey2000 on 17/12/2016 - 09:48

          @dasher86: All your base are belong to us now

      • stellaaddicted on 12/12/2016 - 22:46

        BS since you will have the walk a bit more to go back from where you come from (better than ABC?)

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 13/12/2016 - 01:23
        +1

        What if the next empty station is filled before you get there? In London 6 years ago with Barclay's bikes you were screwed.

    • Clear on 12/12/2016 - 22:43
      +6

      Asking the important questions as usual jv 👍

      • jv on 12/12/2016 - 22:44
        +1

        You're not being Clear…

    • scanuck on 13/12/2016 - 01:23

      You can see if the station you're riding to is full - if it is I suggest don't ride there!

      If it fills up on the way (30 mins) you're probably in line for a really shitty day

      • jv on 13/12/2016 - 01:29
        -1

        If it is I suggest don't ride there!

        Will they refund your money?

        • kurisu on 13/12/2016 - 10:02
          +1

          You can see on their map which stations are full before you pay.

        • jv on 13/12/2016 - 10:10

          @kurisu:

          Could be available when you pay but full when you arrive.

        • kurisu on 13/12/2016 - 10:15

          @jv: Well as scanuck said, "If it fills up on the way (30 mins) you're probably in line for a really shitty day"

  • stellaaddicted on 12/12/2016 - 22:48

    So, is it targeted at RACV members?

    • tarawa on 12/12/2016 - 22:50
      +1

      for all riders

      • jv on 13/12/2016 - 01:15
        -2

        for all riders

        easy…

  • lgacb08 on 12/12/2016 - 22:58
    +1

    living here for a while and never seen anyone using these bikes. And what's the point hiring bike when you can get free tram.

    • dyziplen on 12/12/2016 - 23:03
      +6

      The bike stations far exceed the free tram zone.

      • lgacb08 on 12/12/2016 - 23:35
        -1

        well, I might be wrong but by the look of it, these bikes probably very tiring to venture outside the free tram zone anyway.

        • dyziplen on 13/12/2016 - 09:11
          +1

          Time to get some exercise and get fit? A 30 minute ride can easily get you to Richmond/South Yarra/Port Melbourne from the city.

        • MrTweek on 13/12/2016 - 13:03
          +4

          Yeah, if you don't like riding a bike, than this probably isn't for you.

          Some people consider it fun and prefer it over standing in a packed tram between sweaty people.
          I hear some people even buy a whole bicycle for themselves, just so they can ride whenever they want.

    • silverrat23 on 13/12/2016 - 00:38
      -2

      living here for a while and never seen anyone using these bikes.

      I agree. It's funny seeing so many using the Bike Share-branded helmets around the city. They must've obtained them via a five-finger discount.

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 13/12/2016 - 01:24
        +1

        I want to buy a new one from 7-Eleven when I return to Melbourne but I'm worried people will thing I helped myself to a courtesy helmet…

      • dyziplen on 13/12/2016 - 09:07
        +4

        Its 5 bucks from 7/11. Cheapest helmet by far. Besides, you get a new one instead of one thats been god knows where.

  • Diji1 on 13/12/2016 - 00:57

    Company in China is doing this idea but waay better: you simply leave the bike where you want when you're finished.

    • Pred8r on 13/12/2016 - 01:16
      +7

      in Paris they are hybrid electric w/ pedal assist and cruise assist, no throttle.
      Adults everywhere riding them and, OMG, without helmets. (Adults being allowed to choose for themselves and have self responsibility, how dare they….)

      • jv on 13/12/2016 - 01:26
        +7

        Adults being allowed to choose for themselves

        As long as they waive their right to be treated in hospital for their stupidity, I'm fine with that…

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 13/12/2016 - 01:26

        Serious? Link?

        • jv on 13/12/2016 - 01:27

          Serious? Link?

          It's missing…

        • Turd on 13/12/2016 - 03:16
          +1

          @jv: HTTP

        • MrTweek on 13/12/2016 - 13:04

          For the bikes or for the not wearing a helmet thing?

        • peterpeterpumpkin on 13/12/2016 - 13:23

          @MrTweek:

          The bikes. My initial google search turned up nothing (except the Paris scooter share, Madrid's hybrids and JCDecaux’s carry your own battery concept convertible bikes).

          I'll google again later.

  • bengal tiger on 13/12/2016 - 06:55
    +9

    Melbourne Bike Share didn't know they were using Telstra 2G and it just went offline

    They actually did know about the 2G network closure and went through an upgrade several months ago to remove the 2G chips and replace them with 3G chips.

    What they didn't realise was that their firmware couldn't handle the 3G network hence the network failure last week. It makes for an interesting case study for anyone who works in network infrastructure upgrades.

    • holdenmg on 13/12/2016 - 08:47
      +5

      It is just like Woolworths not upgrading their Self-Service Checkouts to accommodate the new $5 note, while Coles were ready from Day 1.
      http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/woolworths-checkou…

      Well, totally the same except nothing to do with 2G or 3G or Telstra… well completely different actually. lol

    • macrocephalic on 13/12/2016 - 11:30

      That's slightly more excusable that not knowing what network your entire product relies on.

  • froodh on 13/12/2016 - 10:14
    +1

    Meh, Adelaide has free bike hire for all for years….

    • Bargaingeek on 13/12/2016 - 12:36
      +1

      Only downside Adelaide is a shit hole

      • froodh on 14/12/2016 - 00:31

        can't argue with that!

  • chossenger on 14/12/2016 - 12:56

    Having never actually taken anything resembling a serious look at the bike share program, how are the bikes (+ helmets) themselves? (read: gearing, weight, fit, etc.)
    I'd unfortunately still need to use PT to get to a station, there not being any east of Punt Rd, but hey, fitness is worth the extra, right?

    • chossenger on 23/12/2016 - 00:59

      Being in the city the other day, gave them a spin. They're okay, especially as a mass-transit service. The gearing was slightly lacking at higher speeds, but that's reasonable I guess, from a liability point of view (having only three gears).
      They had LEDs front and back (along with reflectors), though I didn't notice them running at any point. Might only operate under power, perhaps? I don't know. It's a bit hard to check when you're riding the thing, and I didn't see anyone else on one :P

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