The worst experience
As someone who takes bike shares and travels frequently, this was by far the worst one that I've ever experienced and the most complicated, with the worst user interface.
From the beginning you download one app just for you to see, of course, whether there is a bike share near you in the first place. I figured I was in the city center by Piccadilly that there would be lots of options nearby me but you can't actually see if there are any bike shares until you put in your credit card information. That was strike number one.
I put in my credit card information only to be told that I have to download another app to see where the bikes are. When you are traveling and in another country, data is usually at a premium. After spending a couple of minutes to download the first app just to put in my credit card information, I now have to spend another two or three minutes downloading another app just to see if there are bikes on the map.
I then download the second app, which is the app that I'm commenting on now, only to find that it doesn't even geolocate you automatically to see if there are bikes nearby you. I see a map with what looks like hundreds of bike stations but I don't even know if any one of them is near me or where their distance is because it does not automatically geolocate me.
I then click on "bikes near me" only for it to load and load and load and not move anywhere. Finally I just give up and call an Uber.
From the beginning you download one app just for you to see, of course, whether there is a bike share near you in the first place. I figured I was in the city center by Piccadilly that there would be lots of options nearby me but you can't actually see if there are any bike shares until you put in your credit card information. That was strike number one.
I put in my credit card information only to be told that I have to download another app to see where the bikes are. When you are traveling and in another country, data is usually at a premium. After spending a couple of minutes to download the first app just to put in my credit card information, I now have to spend another two or three minutes downloading another app just to see if there are bikes on the map.
I then download the second app, which is the app that I'm commenting on now, only to find that it doesn't even geolocate you automatically to see if there are bikes nearby you. I see a map with what looks like hundreds of bike stations but I don't even know if any one of them is near me or where their distance is because it does not automatically geolocate me.
I then click on "bikes near me" only for it to load and load and load and not move anywhere. Finally I just give up and call an Uber.
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Rubbish service, waste of time
You are able to pick up 1 out of 7 bikes, and even that one you pick up is faulty 9/10.. aaand if you manage to can go somewhere either the stations don't work to leave you bike or the app doesn't pick it up... it's very poor service and there's no sign of improvements. Just wasting your time
In a dire state
I’ve been using Starling bikes for a while now, when they were known as Beryl Bikes. I’ve never seen them in this bad of a state as they are in now. For almost every ride I’m onto customer support because the bike doesn’t release but my journey is started, or a bike doesn’t lock properly. In the rare chance that a bike does unlock there’s a likely chance something is wrong with it, from non existent brakes, to broken chains and loose seats that can’t be tightened.
The customer service however is excellent, really friendly people, but it’s massively overshadowed by the poor quality of the bikes.
The customer service however is excellent, really friendly people, but it’s massively overshadowed by the poor quality of the bikes.
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Very unreliable
Good idea in theory but I’d say 70+% of the time I try to use the bikes the don’t work. The lock stations are not fit for purpose and don’t work. Pls start collecting data on how many people try to use and can’t because you really need to improve your service or Manchester Council need to revoke your license for someone who can provide the service efficiently
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Completely useless
Installed app. Biking rack outside hotel. App says it isn’t. Scan bike. App says it’s not available. It’s right there! Down road, 2 bikes in rack. Also ‘not available’. I walk across town. Return journey, three bikes in rack, none scan. Next day, leaving hotel, rain approaching behind me. I’ll beat it to my show so long as one of these five bikes in the rack is actually useable. But of course not. 3 days in MCR, 11 bikes that won’t scan, 0 journeys competed. Manchesterism? I was considering using Starling Bank but not any more.
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