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Starling Bikes

Starling Bikes

Bike Hire in Manchester

3 ratings
76 reviews
🔧 Utilities
✈️ Travel
Free

Details

Released
April 8, 2024
Updated
October 13, 2026

Features

Developer

Beryl
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About

Easily find and rent bikes or e-bikes for a faster, more convenient, and sustainable way to travel. Unlock a ride from numerous stations across Greater Manchester and enjoy a fun, efficient journey. The app guides you through starting and ending your rental.

✓Find bike and e-bike stations
✓Unlock bikes via the app
✓Safe and easy-to-use bikes
✓Pay As You Ride options
✓Minute Bundles and passes
✓View promotions and rates
Show original description

What users say about Starling Bikes

Reviews of Starling Bikes are mostly negative: the Travel app is rated 3.7/5 from 3 App Store ratings. What users like most: bikes are great when they work, electric bikes are good. Top complaints: bikes rarely unlock, many bikes are faulty/broken. Summarized from real user reviews.

Positive things

  • 👍Bikes are great when they work
  • 👍Electric bikes are good
  • 👍Customer service is excellent (mentioned by one user)
  • 👍Amazing customer service (mentioned by one user)
  • 👍Nice assistants (mentioned by one user)
  • 👍Good service overall (mentioned by one user)

Negative things

  • 🐛Bikes rarely unlock
  • 🐛Many bikes are faulty/broken
  • 🐛App is unreliable
  • 🐛Lock system is problematic
  • 🐛Frequent charging errors/fines
  • 🐛Poor maintenance of bikes and stations
  • 🐛Inconsistent app performance
  • 🐛Overcomplicated unlocking/locking process
  • 🐛Bad customer service (mentioned by multiple users)
  • 🐛High prices/overcharging
  • 🐛Insufficient electric bikes
  • 🐛Lack of bikes in certain areas
  • 🐛App requires good signal
  • 🐛Contactless scanners often damaged
  • 🐛Bikes don't stay locked
  • 🐛Seat issues (sliding down)
  • 🐛Brakes not working
  • 🐛Broken chains
  • 🐛App glitches and bugs
  • 🐛Stations don't work for returning bikes
  • 🐛Out of zone charges are unclear
  • 🐛Useless resolve from staff
  • 🐛Bikes are not safe
  • 🐛App doesn't geolocate automatically
  • 🐛User interface is complicated
  • 🐛Download of multiple apps required
  • 🐛Bikes cannot be released
  • 🐛No place for phone to follow road
  • 🐛Only 3 levels on electric bikes (should be 7)
  • 🐛Gate system jams
  • 🐛App bans users for minor issues
  • 🐛Locking system designed by primary school children
  • 🐛App shows bikes as available when they are not
  • 🐛Bikes are not maintained
  • 🐛Overcomplicated and poorly maintained design
  • 🐛Value exchange is massively detractive
  • 🐛Fined for parking in bays
  • 🐛App glitches when disputing fines
  • 🐛No bike stand search function in app
  • 🐛Blame is always on the user
  • 🐛Rear lock issues
  • 🐛Unclear lock-up points
  • 🐛Cannot park bike outside bay
  • 🐛Bikes are a waste of metal
  • 🐛Lock magnet not always secure
  • 🐛System failed to recognise lock
  • 🐛Slow to remove incorrect charges
  • 🐛Lock feature broken beyond salvation
  • 🐛Bikes collect dust and spider webs
  • 🐛Customer support used to dealing with issues
  • 🐛Charging for failure to lock
  • 🐛Unhelpful customer service
  • 🐛Hostile customer service
  • 🐛Blocking accounts without investigation
  • 🐛Bikes get abused by youth
  • 🐛Management does not care
  • 🐛Overpriced
  • 🐛No bikes in certain areas
  • 🐛Contactless scanners smashed off
  • 🐛App requires strong signal
  • 🐛Bikes die quickly
  • 🐛Customer service ends rides prematurely
  • 🐛Customer service is mean
  • 🐛Customer service dismisses users
  • 🐛Bikes are not available
  • 🐛Bikes won't unlock
  • 🐛Bikes won't lock properly
  • 🐛Charging for faulty bikes
  • 🐛Bikes are in horrendous condition
  • 🐛Stupid system
  • 🐛Embarrassing public bike system
  • 🐛Unmaintained and unreliable
  • 🐛Transport service feels like gambling
  • 🐛Awful staff
  • 🐛Condescending staff
  • 🐛Banned for wiggling handle
  • 🐛Frustrating process
  • 🐛Significantly more stress than walking
  • 🐛Not enough maintenance
  • 🐛Bikes rarely unlock
  • 🐛Not a reliable mode of transport
  • 🐛Only 1 out of 5 bikes unlock
  • 🐛Issue has gotten worse
  • 🐛Bikes are dysfunctional
  • 🐛Wheel stuck, chain loose, pedals not turning
  • 🐛Complete waste of time
  • 🐛Overcharge for service problems
  • 🐛Glitchy and inconsistent app
  • 🐛Initial getting started is not simple or reliable
  • 🐛Scammers
  • 🐛Profit of charging fees
  • 🐛Additional charges
  • 🐛Disincentivizes use
  • 🐛Charging for no reason
  • 🐛Worst app ever
  • 🐛Worst customer service
  • 🐛Forced to go back to bike for pictures
  • 🐛Blocking accounts
  • 🐛Rediculous
  • 🐛Shocking
  • 🐛Problem with pausing and unlocking
  • 🐛Almost never unlock
  • 🐛Atrocious app and service
  • 🐛Fined for securing correctly
  • 🐛App glitches when disputing
  • 🐛Can only submit 1 picture at a time
  • 🐛Need proper docks
  • 🐛No search function for bike stands
  • 🐛Constantly overcharges incorrectly
  • 🐛Charged £10 for parking outside bay
  • 🐛Most bikes are broken
  • 🐛Stands won't lock
  • 🐛Not worth the price
  • 🐛Daylight robbery
  • 🐛Fee was a scam
  • 🐛Unlocking feature broken
  • 🐛Wrongfully charged £10
  • 🐛Unclear where lock up points are
  • 🐛Used to be great, now rubbish
  • 🐛Almost always get charged
  • 🐛Parking areas are full
See all reviews

What's New in Starling Bikes

3.6.3

October 13, 2026

Fixing an issue ending rides with electronic locking vehicles.

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Jesus

I’ve just been charged 30 quid for nothing like please give me my money cheers
Ffmndbtbrrnrf

Don’t use

Bad
GGrahamGode

Manchester please just get rid

Dreadful. Holding back a great city out of sheer incompetence.
SSpikesharkey

Awful service, scammers

Every other bike has some fault with it and then they will charge you 10 pounds for not locking it up properly despite you following all the instructions. They offer a bad service than charge you fines for their faulty bikes. Rarely get a good bike that doesn't have something wrong with it
BBBilly Bob58

sucks

lots of bikes are broken or cannot be released.whats the point of renting it….?
994人
See 71 more reviews

Developer apps

Beryl - bike & e-scooter hire
Beryl - bike & e-scooter hire

Sustainable urban travel

✈️ Travel

(54)

Free
See developer apps

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

28 issues

Bikes do not unlock

Bug

Bikes do not lock properly

Bug

App charges incorrect fees/fines

Bug

App shows bikes as available when they are not

Bug

Locking system jams or fails

Bug

Contactless scanners are damaged

Bug

Bike seats slide down

Bug

Brakes are non-existent or faulty

Bug

Chains are broken

Bug

App glitches or freezes

Bug

Stations are broken or do not work for returning bikes

Bug

App does not geolocate automatically

Bug

App requires downloading multiple applications

Bug

App requires a strong signal to function

Bug

App bans users for minor issues

Bug

App does not recognize when a bike is locked

Bug

App glitches when trying to dispute fines

Bug

App allows submission of only one picture at a time

Bug

App does not have a bike stand search function

Bug

App incorrectly charges for parking outside bays

Bug

App shows bikes in a rack as 'not available' when they are present

Bug

App fails to unlock bikes after pausing a ride

Bug

App crashes or becomes unresponsive

Bug

Rear lock mechanism issues

Bug

Front lock mechanism issues

Bug

App does not update bike status accurately

Bug

Electric bikes have limited functionality (e.g., only 3 levels)

Bug

App bans users for trying to fix unlock issues (e.g., wiggling handle)

Bug
✨

Requested Features

19 requests

Improve bike unlocking reliability

Feature

Improve bike maintenance

Feature

Improve app reliability and performance

Feature

Fix the lock system

Feature

Provide clearer instructions for locking bikes

Feature

Implement proper docking stations like in London

Feature

Add a bike stand search function to the app

Feature

Improve customer service response and helpfulness

Feature

Ensure accurate charging and refund processes

Feature

Increase the number of electric bikes

Feature

Address bike availability in underserved areas

Feature

Make the app require less signal strength

Feature

Improve the user interface and onboarding process

Feature

Reduce the number of required apps

Feature

Add more levels to electric bikes

Feature

Provide a better solution for phone mounting

Feature

Clarify out-of-zone charges with warnings

Feature

Investigate and resolve account blocking issues

Feature

Improve the overall design and user experience

Feature

FAQ

What is Starling Bank Bikes?

Starling Bank Bikes is a mobile application that allows users to find, unlock, and rent bikes and e-bikes from various hire stations across Greater Manchester. It offers a sustainable and convenient way to travel around the city.

How do I start a ride?

To start a ride, download the Starling Bank Bikes app, create an account, and add a payment method. Once set up, you can find and unlock a bike or e-bike directly through the app.

How much does it cost to use Starling Bank Bikes?

The app offers 'Pay As You Ride' options for immediate use. For more frequent riders, there are also Minute Bundles and passes available. You can check the app for the latest promotions and rates.

How do I end my ride?

To end your ride, locate a convenient bike hire station using the app. Once at the station, park your bike and follow the in-app instructions to complete your journey.

Is this app available outside of Manchester?

Based on the description, the service is specifically for bike hire stations across Greater Manchester. The app is designed to facilitate rentals within this defined geographical area.