Boris Bikes - Casual Users

[zimzum42]

OK, so I signed up for the Boris Bikes, annual membership.

Don't need it so much, but wanted to get a sense of ownership in a scheme that I think is good for cycling and London. Since getting my key have found myself using them loads!!!


But am I alone in hoping that it'll take as long as possible to get the casual users thing going? In fact, I would prefer they keep it membership only.

 

[automatic_jon]

I'd love to have a crack at using these blue behemoths next time I'm in London but as I only go there twice a year at the most I'm not so keen on signing up for a membership I'm barely going to use. A bit like joining a gym. Knowing how these sort of projects work I hope they actually do get a casual user scheme in place and don't just make everyone join up. Which I think would discourage tourists such as myself.
A membership scheme is fine if you're unlucky enough to live in or near London but not for the rest of the population.

 

[jimboalee]

Let me get this right.

You register on-line giving your particulars.
They check you out and if all's well, send you a 'magic key'.
You use you 'magic key' to release a bike and you are billed for its use.

You CANNOT.
Walk up to a bike stand, insert money and ride away?


That means I cannot borrow one on a permanent basis.


But I could,,, register, get a key, borrow a bike and pay the £300 fine for it being lost while in my possession?

Then I have £300 worth of parts to assemble up a bike using another frame doing nothing in my shed,,,

 

[dellzeqq]

OK, so I signed up for the Boris Bikes, annual membership.

Don't need it so much, but wanted to get a sense of ownership in a scheme that I think is good for cycling and London. Since getting my key have found myself using them loads!!!


But am I alone in hoping that it'll take as long as possible to get the casual users thing going? In fact, I would prefer they keep it membership only.

Right now TfL has got a bit of a problem - but it's a problem that they're glad of. What's the horizon on these things? Nobody, but nobody, knows.

BTW - rear lights are not up to much on dark wet nights.

 

[zimzum42]

Rear Lights are fine IMO - had no problems in the cold and wet on Friday night whilst dressed all in black...


The way I see it it's better if we keep casual users and tourists off the bikes - the scheme is very successful as is, and already there are times when whole stands are empty and others are full. The last thing we need is a load of numpties failing to dock the bikes properly and riding on the wrong side of the road, getting trapped in the middle of major junctions, etc etc

Even if you only use the bikes once or twice a year, it's only £3 for a key, and you can sign up for the pay as you go method so it's only a quid a day...

 

[fossyant]

How selfish...................

Just scared us 'non Londoners' will come down on a trip and partake in some SCR racing and scalp the lot of you..... ..........

 

[dellzeqq]

I think Zimmers might just have had his toungue in his cheek...

If the scheme was extended to 'pay-on-the-day' customers, and racks provided near mainline stations my guess (and it's only a guess) would be that use would double overnight. There would be shortages. on racks, which would damage the existing customer base, but that's capable of being addressed.

Have a look at the back of the bikes tonight Zimmers. Susie and I were kind of surprised - particularly if you are not in line with the bike, but slightly to one side, which means that one of the rear lights isn't visible. Putting a third light above the wheel would be good.

 

[jimboalee]

Well up here in Sol, if you haven't got your own bike, you can bleedin' well stay well away....


Bike rentals, bloody menace.
You can't hire a bicycle withing the borough of Solihull. Nearest is ProBike Racing in Kings Heath and if you've ever ridden KH High St, you'll know why they don't get much trade.

Mind you. We try to distract tourists. They think they can come and sit in our parks and soak up our sunshine. Clear off.

 

[zimzum42]

The more lights the better, clearly, but I don't think they're so bad at the mo - will have a look later though.


Tourists can go swivel, the kind of people who take the tube from Covent Garden to Leicester Square can't be trusted with a bike in London. Anyway, day trippers would already be advised to get hold of an Oyster Card before they come to London anyway, that's already the norm for anyone with half a wit. The Oyster costs £3 or so, so they can damn well apply for a Boris Bike key online before they come down anyway

The scheme would need a lot more bikes to cope with casual users I reckon, and while they seem to be planning to do this it may take some time, particularly when the commie councils like Camden decide to throw their toys from the pram and mess it up...

 

[jimboalee]

The more lights the better, clearly, but I don't think they're so bad at the mo - will have a look later though.


Tourists can go swivel, the kind of people who take the tube from Covent Garden to Leicester Square can't be trusted with a bike in London. Anyway, day trippers would already be advised to get hold of an Oyster Card before they come to London anyway, that's already the norm for anyone with half a wit. The Oyster costs £3 or so, so they can damn well apply for a Boris Bike key online before they come down anyway

The scheme would need a lot more bikes to cope with casual users I reckon, and while they seem to be planning to do this it may take some time, particularly when the commie councils like Camden decide to throw their toys from the pram and mess it up...

In the summer, San Francisco is a bloody mess with all the tourists on Bikes. They haven't got a clue.

If Boris bikes were permitted on a day basis for tourists, London would grind to a confused mess within hours in the summer school holidays.

The chances are that London being somewhat flatter than SF, it would be a lot worse.

In New York, there's bike hire in Central Park, but they warn you NOT to go out of the park.

 

[dellzeqq]

The more lights the better, clearly, but I don't think they're so bad at the mo - will have a look later though.

to be fair they're clearly better than no lights, and a remarkable number of London cyclists have no lights.

 

[yello]

Thanks for the warning zimzum. I hadn't realised you needed to register in advance.

I'll have a look at the process and see whether it's worth the effort. I only want to have a go on one when I'm next in London, couple of hours tops I reckon so probably not worth the pfaff. Personally, I prefer to walk around central London anyway (if I have the time).

 

[Tynan]

I thought the lights were on the right side of ok on the few times I've seen them after dark

and what dell just said

I rode one from Borough to Liverpool Street last week when I really shouldn't have had, after a session, remarkably steady ride if you;re a bit erm, relaxed

 

[Smiler100]

I've got to say - I also didn't think much of the lights. I've used them a few times and I think the whole idea is fantastic and they're certianly 'heavy-duty' bikes but the lights were rubbish! If tourists are going to eventually get on them then they have to improve this side of things.

 

[zimzum42]

It's so easy to join up, just fill out the online form, credit card details, and you're away within the time it takes for the key to arrive in the mail. Must have taken me 5 minutes max


I just don't want to see gangs of cuntinental teenagers with matching backpacks ruining the whole thing, them and halfwits from the shires...