Forum Topic

Ealing Mobike launch

The Ealing Mobike launch is... TOMORROW (11-Sep) at 11-4pm in Acton Market Square, The Mount, ActonThis is one of the competitors to the TfL bike scheme.They do not use docking stations.There have been complaints about this scheme elsewhere with bikes being difficult to find or being dumped.Hopefully they have learned from the other schemes and things work out well.

Paul Webster ● 3151d23 Comments

That's an excellent idea.

Janice Evans ● 3099d

It would be good to have a similar sort of system for a basic car.  Like with the mobikes I think they will have to be of a more practical design.  Why don't we have more sensible bumpers for a start instead of all these painted ones?  There was a time in-between chrome ones and the current ones where they were more practical - especially for London parking! The mobikes have also been designed I understand so that punctures aren't a problem.

Philippa Bond ● 3105d

I had a chat with the mobike man yesterday morning. The bikes are fitted with trackers so they know where to find them (including on peoples properties). They pick them up and restock the mobike bays. the scheme is apparently going well. I think it is better than the boris bikes where you are charged as long as the bike is out of a docking station. I used on once to run errands in the East end but couldn't stop anywhere as there were no docking stations where i needed to go and ended up taking the bike back where I had taken it. The mobike stops charging you when you lock the wheel lock. I think in the futures we will use cars the same way.

Kim Rugg ● 3108d

I saw the Mobike man tidying up the bikes this evening in Horn Lane.  It's good to know they're keeping an eye on them.

Tania Bapuji ● 3109d

I spotted my first Mobike near Syon Lane this weekend.

Philippa Bond ● 3110d

I saw a couple of young lads on Saturday knock over the whole line outside Springfield Park like a set of dominos, and then run off.

Anne Brown ● 3116d

In Holland where they have a lot of cyclists but make better provision and laws for them they don't wear cycling helmets.They have segregated cycle lanes sometimes at a different height.  This is what is under heavy discussion in Chiswick as there is a consultation over the adoption of a new Cycle Superhighway (CS9) along Chiswick High Road.  Cyclists do seem to cycle more sedately there and there are lots of children cycling.UTRECHT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDLb6biq39A

Philippa Bond ● 3122d

Surprisingly, I've seen quite a lot being Mobike cyclists but unfortunately they don't wear a helmet and completely ignore road rules, one guy was even cycling on the a40 western avenue towards East Acton recently. Perhaps Mobike should provided a helmet that could change it's size when you screw/unscrew something.

Naweed Shams ● 3123d

Aha! better for us and cheaper than the unplanned taxi or very late night walk back...

Sara Nathan ● 3125d

I rode one the other day from Acton town tube to my home. It wasn't a planned decision, I was going to walk but saw the bikes so I thought I would give it a go. I downloaded the app, loaded ny bank card details, they send you a bar code thing which unlocks the bike and off you go. I found the whole process very quick and easy. I'm not sure I would want to ride it for a long bike ride but it was good for a short hop.

Chris Hurley ● 3125d

Boris bikes? Would those be the ones Ken Livingstone introduced? I like a bit of alliteration as much as the next person but would rather not be reminded of that loathsome backstabbing lying hypocrite.

Robert Murray ● 3126d

saw first one  lying around blocking the pavement this evening... havent seen one being ridden yet

Sara Nathan ● 3126d

Has anyone tried one yet? How do they compare with Boris bikes? I've seen them neatly parked, haven't seen any laying around causing a nuisance (yet) but have yet to see anyone riding one.

Lorna Dodd ● 3126d

The refundable deposit has been dropped for £2 for a few days (from 29) to coincide with students going to university.https://mobike.com/uk/blog/post/student-discountThis low price is available to everyone until mid-October.

Paul Webster ● 3126d

"You get 100 credits on joining (paying the refundable deposit)"

Paul Webster ● 3147d

How much is 80 credits... Does the £49 mean you start with 80 or do you need lots more?

Sara Nathan ● 3147d

As they were found all over the place it shows people want to use them, so many have their own bikes stolen so the idea seems good its just finding a way to make it work, if businesses provided a place for them it would encourage people to their door.

Janice Evans ● 3147d

When a similar scheme to this was tried in Wandsworth a few months ago, the council had to remove about 130 rental bikes that had been left scattered all over the borough in shopping centres and outside tube stations, obstructing pavements and walkways. This was a scheme similar to the one being trialled in Acton, where users are encouraged to drop off their bikes anywhere they like and not in dedicated docking stations like the Barclays/Santander bikes, and it soon became obvious that it wasn't working. Something similar happened in Hammersmith when 400 bikes appeared on the streets, many of which soon ended up obstructing footpaths and creating potential hazards for pedestrians, so again, the council had to intervene.What's going to be so different in Ealing, where I see that our council has actually given this scheme the go ahead?  I have to say I resent a commercial company taking over our public spaces in this way, presumably at no cost to themselves as they're not building docking stations or getting permission for their locations, to make a profit for their opportunistic business model.

Peter Evans ● 3148d

Thanks for the explanation.  The credit system seems to be a good way to ensure people don't dump the bike, although this one made me laugh:"Abandoning the bike when intercepted by police    -50"I think if you're being chased by the police and have to abandon your Mobike, losing 50 credits is the least of your problems! My only gripe is that I want to pay the deposit by Paypal.  Their site says you can, but their app doesn't give the option, but maybe it's a glitch.  I'll keep trying or drop them a note.

Tania Bapuji ● 3148d

Everything is done from their mobile app.It shows where bikes are and you can reserve them from it. When you get to the bike that you reserved (holds it for 15 minutes) you unlock it via the app and off you go.You are supposed to stay in Ealing borough. The bike reports its location so they will know if it leaves the region. I don't know if anything happens (e.g. pedals made more difficult, brakes slowly applied, electric charge through saddle (joke)).Couple of bits of info from their FAQhttps://mobike.com/uk/faqRefer other people to get extra credits when they sign upYou can also get credits for "good behaviour" (parking in the right places, reporting other bikes that are in the wrong place ...).Bad behaviour loses credits.You get 100 credits on joining (paying the refundable deposit)."How much does it cost to use Mobike?To use Mobike for the first time, you will need to make a one-time refundable deposit of £49. A single trip cost is 50p for every 30mins. Charges start once the bike has been unlocked. The timer will reset each time the bike is locked."Note - this is if you have 80 or more "credits". It is double that if you go below 80 credits.Make sure that it locks when you finish and you get a summary on your mobile app ... otherwise I assume you will be paying for additional time.This from the FAQ does not inspire confidence:"How long does the refund take?Your deposit is fully refundable if you no longer wish to have a Mobike accountIn app directly or via e-mail"

Paul Webster ● 3148d

There are quite a few at the bottom end of Acton Park and quite a few people gathered to look. But no-one had worked out how to actually use them.Anyone tried it yet?

Sara Nathan ● 3148d

12th is indeed correct.

Paul Webster ● 3151d

Thanks for the heads up. Tomorrow is 12th....

Clare Gittins ● 3151d