# Starling Bikes — Bike Hire in Manchester

> App to find, unlock, and rent bikes and e-bikes in Greater Manchester. (iPhone/iPad app by Beryl.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starling-bikes/id6475349536 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Beryl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1386768363)
- Category: Travel, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 53 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 134 MB
- Languages: American English, Brazilian Portuguese
- Released: 2024-04-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starling-bikes/id6475349536/reviews.md

## What is Starling Bikes?

Cities are better when more people are on two wheels! Travel in a faster, more convenient, and sustainable way by bike or e-bike. We can guarantee it's more fun than sitting in traffic.

Use the Starling Bank Bikes app to find and unlock a bike or e-bike from one of the many bike hire
stations across Greater Manchester! We've designed our bikes to be safe and easy to use for an
enjoyable ride. It's as easy as app, tap, and roll.


Getting started
-------------------------------
Download the Starling Bank Bikes App
Create an account and add a payment method
Enjoy your ride!


Ending your ride
-------------------------------
Find a convenient bike hire station in the app.
Head there and park up your ride.
Follow the instructions in the app to finish your journey


How much does it cost?
-------------------------------
Get rolling right away with our Pay As You Ride options.
We also have a range of Minute Bundles and passes to suit more regular riders. Open the app to see
the latest promotions and rates for your scheme.

Download the Starling Bank Bikes App and start riding with us today.

## Key features

- 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

## Recent user reviews (10 of 53)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starling-bikes/id6475349536/reviews.md

### 1/5 — The worst experience

*2026-08-14*

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.

### 1/5 — Rubbish service, waste of time

*2026-08-12*

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

### 1/5 — In a dire state

*2026-07-20*

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.

### 1/5 — Very unreliable

*2026-07-18*

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

### 1/5 — Completely useless

*2026-06-30*

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.

### 1/5 — An incredibly frustrating process

*2026-04-14*

With all the extra steps you have to unlock and lock the bike properly it ends up feel like it has take longer than just walking somewhere with significantly more stress. A great idea but somehow implemented so so poorly.

### 1/5 — Unreliable

*2026-04-03*

There clearly isn’t enough maintenance on the bikes/locks because you can go to a stop with multiple bikes and none will work. Yet the app will still tell the next person that the bikes are there, even after multiple people have failed to unlock them.

### 1/5 — The bikes never work

*2026-03-23, version 2.62.0*

Hardly any in old Trafford and when they are the contactless scanners have been smashed off, or they just don’t work. 

And why are there STILL no bikes in Levenshulme? It’s ridiculous.

Overpriced too

### 1/5 — Hit and miss at best

*2026-03-16, version 2.62.0*

App requires a strong signal to work fast else you’ll be stood waiting for a bike quite a while even if it says you have 4G. 

It’s often quicker for me to tether off another phone, even if I have enough signal to operate other apps.

### 1/5 — Horrible customer service by Scott

*2026-03-13, version 2.62.0*

Had issues with my ride because of the app, contacted customer care, Scott was not only not helpful but also very hostile in helping. Didn’t get any help, delete the app, walking is a better option.

## Frequently asked questions about Starling Bikes

### 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.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.4.1 — 2026-08-19

Fixing some bugs

### 3.4.0 — 2026-08-17

Some under the hood improvements

### 3.3.0 — 2026-08-10

A behind the scenes change to improve performance

### 3.2.0 — 2026-08-06

Some fixes and updates

### 3.1.0 — 2026-08-05

Some bugfixes and upgrades

## Apps similar to Starling Bikes

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| [NCG](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ncg/id1481361046) | 3.0 (4) | Free | Travel |

## More apps by Beryl

- [Beryl - bike & e-scooter hire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beryl-bike-and-e-scooter-hire/id1386768364)

All apps by Beryl: https://appshunter.io/developer/1386768363

## Related topics

[starling bank bikes](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/starling-bank-bikes) · [cycle hire](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cycle-hire)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*