Bike Share Schemes

Euphemistic on 25/08/2022 - 10:19
Last edited 25/08/2022 - 10:20

We’ve got a local share e-bike trial going on locally. Dozens of purple e-bikes all over the town seemingly perfect to hop on and shuttle to your next stop and leave the bike ready for the return journey or someone else to hop on. I’ve seen a few in use and the bikes seem to move around a bit.

They provide a helmet, you sign up to the app and can unlock and ride the bikes for a (small) fee. I think it’s $1 unlock fee plus $0.45/minute.

I assume somehow they know where they are and when they need a charge, but haven’t seen anyone maintaining them.

Would you use one? Interested to hear your thoughts.

I thought it would be good for my fairly short commute. Cheaper than buying an e-bike for ‘the big hill’ on my commute less effort than my regular bike that hates me when I walk past it with the car keys in hand. At about 20-25min commute it’s $10-13 so costs less in fuel.

Other poll options?

Poll Options

  • 3
    Great idea. I’d use it (or do use them)
  • 13
    Share helmet? Ewww head lice.
  • 5
    Too expensive for me
  • 3
    I don’t cycle and don’t know why I’m in this thread
  • 5
    Have my own bike.
  • 5
    Unsightly, get rid of them.
  • 3
    Call the Bikies
Sports & Outdoors Bike Share

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2022 - 10:30
    +3

    not a fan of shared bikes, would rather own my own.

    also, sharing helmets is unsanitary, if i had to use the bike for whatever reason, i wouldn't use the helmet.

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2022 - 11:58

      Agree. I’d take my own lid or risk the fine.

    • payless69 on 02/09/2022 - 16:41

      In England so they say, pregnant girls are urged to relieve into a helmet.
      Ah well get a disposable hair cover!

  • El cheepo on 25/08/2022 - 10:42

    They are cheaply built in bulk bikes that cop a thrashing.

    They would be good if they could be well maintained and people could be trusted to not dump them randomly, steal them, break them and damage them for fun. But that’s the world we are in…

    They were very popular in China but became an issue when the market got over filled with bikes that were already not getting maintained and vandalised and just became street rubbish. It wasn’t uncommon to see a mountain of dumped bikes as tall as your head on the street.

    I imagine the same will happen here if it takes off.

    • netjock on 25/08/2022 - 11:10
      +1

      cop a thrashing
      not getting maintained and vandalised

      Explains why we can't have good stuff. You don't see many supercar sharing schemes because people can't even share bikes.

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2022 - 12:14

      I’d imagine the e-bikes have more incentive to keep track of them and maintain them. They aren’t a $50 bike at all. Plus, these ones aren’t docked, they just hang around so must be recharged somehow.

      • El cheepo on 25/08/2022 - 12:59

        They have e-scooter hire in WA and it wont be long until it’s gone by the looks of things.

        It all comes down to people. Some are just animals and simpletons that enjoy wreaking havoc.

        The companies can track them and try to maintain the bikes all they like but the small percentage of idiots will ruin it for the rest.

        It will either end up not financially viable to continue operating due to damage etc or with councils banning them due to them getting dumped on the streets, thrown into lakes and oceans etc.

  • Crow K on 25/08/2022 - 10:45
    +1

    "At about 20-25min commute it’s $10-13 so costs less in fuel."

    Does it normally cost $10 to run a car for 20 minutes? Numbers feel a little high

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2022 - 12:05

      True. Just going on fuel costs at 8l/100km and 8km trip is probably under 1L of fuel. Yes total running costs are more, probably $1/km.

      I looked up and the bus fare seems to be around $4 for peak times but less convenient as it requires get to and from the bus stop (in my case only a short walk

  • jjjaar on 25/08/2022 - 10:45
    +5

    The cost is definitely why I wouldn't use it.

    At that rate, 15 mins is $7.75. That's insane. In Melbourne, I can pay $4.60 for a 2 hour public transport ticket, or $9.20 for the full day.

    Also, if I plan to use this 15 min each way to work 5x days a week, that's $77.50 a week. Only after a month or so doing that and you can get an ok bike to keep.Two months and you've got a pretty decent one.

    The London bike share system costs £2 ($3.40) for unlimited journeys up to 30 minutes, within a 24 hour period. Less flexibility with where you can dock them, but this is a much better fare structure to encourage people to use it.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 25/08/2022 - 10:46

    I feel like it's good if there's a reasonable amount. Every bikeshare scheme I've scene rolled out they have hubs on every city corner and only 5% actually get used. I remember visiting Brisbane when they had theirs going and they were lined up everywhere but I never actually saw anyone riding them. Either way though I'll take bikeshare over these PITA e-scooters share schemes, I've only ever seen kids joyriding them, weaving in and out of people on packed CBD streets.

  • bobbified on 25/08/2022 - 11:09
    +2

    $1 unlock fee plus $0.45/minute.

    That's a crazy price! It'll cost me about 45c to just stop and adjust my nuts!

  • Clear on 25/08/2022 - 11:18
    -1

    Sounds like Beam. They should have passes for the eBikes like they do with the eScooters to make it much more affordable.

  • brotherfranciz on 25/08/2022 - 11:19
    +1

    Yeah, the shared helmet thing is definitely a no-go so you will need to bring your own.

    Cheaper than buying an e-bike for ‘the big hill’ on my commute less effort than my regular bike that hates me when I walk past it with the car keys in hand.

    If you've got your own bike already, not sure why you don't use it instead? Is it because of the e-bike assist?

    As an Ozbargainer, I would say it's your duty to save a few dollars and ride your own bike instead!

    • LiteDough on 25/08/2022 - 11:54

      I'm sure they'd need to shower after that hill, so pack a change of clothes, use shower/end of trip facilities…

      But yes, get on that bike ($0 compared to the ebike)!

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2022 - 12:10

      I have good intentions to cycle to work at least semi regularly. But …. excuses.

      I did cycle commute for quite a few years so know how it works. The 10min drive door to desk used to take 30-35min by bicycle allowing for some cool down time and a shower.

  • SF3 on 25/08/2022 - 11:48

    Not into germ sharing.

  • LiteDough on 25/08/2022 - 11:52

    It seems expensive (but for shorter trips with no public transport option, it might be ok).

    To me, I think ebikes and escooters might encourage people to use the local bike paths and facilties or consider bikes as a viable option, either for leisure/exercise or small commutes, especially if it's just one person. Ie - there is a escooter trial at a dog park nearby. Most people would come for the dog park, but there is walking trails around, which the escooters might encourage people to check out.

    But depending on the city and the experience of the rider - they will clog up footpaths because riding on the road might be intimidating without dedicated bike lines.

  • DarkOz on 25/08/2022 - 11:52

    Half a dozen companies tried in Sydney/Melbourne already and failed miserably. I have NFI why more companies are still trying.

    The idea is good but it's just not for us.

  • Seraphin7 on 25/08/2022 - 12:06

    So the commute is maybe about 8km? At those prices, you'd nearly be better off with an Uber!

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2022 - 12:12
      +1

      Yeah. My commute is about 8km depending on which site.

      With these prices it would seem it’s not designed for cycling for transport, but for recreation.

      • Seraphin7 on 25/08/2022 - 13:16

        Not sure what it's designed for?!?!

        Recreation at $27 an hour seems pricey vs. the cost of just purchasing a reasonable leisure bike. Not going to take too many hours to recoup that outlay!

  • markathome on 25/08/2022 - 12:37

    The RACV blue bike scheme (Melbourne) and CityBike scheme (Brisbane) were better priced and better value. Helped me to really get around those cities. These new share e-bike schemes I haven't used a single time. I also used a commercial pedal bike share in Sydney but was considerably less impressed - the bikes were in a bad state. Auckland I tried but couldn't find a pedal bike.

  • cmc on 25/08/2022 - 15:07
    +1

    I've used the purple Beam ebikes in Brissie since they launched and find them brilliant.

    I use my own buff (like a scarf) over my hair under the helmet and also clip on front & back bike lights when riding.

    The app shows you exactly where bikes are plus the level of charge left in each.

    Price wise, you just buy a 1 day / 3 day / week Univeral Pass - no need to pay per minute unless you really are using it as a one-off.

    Each pass includes 120 minutes per day and more time is charged per minute.

    They're all geo-locked so can't be taken outside specific areas. The app also shows designated parking spots.

    Obviously I'd like to be using my own but as a visitor they're brilliant.

    • Euphemistic on 25/08/2022 - 15:33

      I didn’t see any frequent user rates. Will have to go look at that.

  • pegaxs on 25/08/2022 - 16:23

    These will be a bit more expensive one people start hoiking them in rivers and up trees…

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