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OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

obikerefund.livejournal.com

31–40 of 83 posts

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#31
post #9

In Australia, oBikes were often thrown in to trees and rivers. They've left Melbourne. [0] [0] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-12/obike-dockless-bicycle...

Our building in Vienna Austria became a dump for those bikes. They keep putting there on our bike stands but the bikes there are so broken that nobody uses them.

We have a bike sharing system in my city, but one must always return the bike to an automated bike rental station where the bike is locked. This is how it works in London as well AFAIK. A bike left just somewhere is a violation of the service terms and a penalty comparable to the fine for riding public transport without a ticket is charged from your credit card.

I can understand why bike rental system without proper stations where the bikes are stored would be considered corporate littering.

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#32
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bike sharing company in Singapore. Initially collected a S$49 to use its service. With the deposit paid you were entitled to rent their bikes at S$0.5/15min. Bike were almost everywhere. Initially they had lots of free ride promotions. A few days ago, they claimed that they ceased operations due to newly imposed government restrictions. (To prevent bikes from lying/standing around just about everywhere and have them…

S$49 is I guess not that big a loss for a bicycle, buying one yourself is probably more expensive. What happens to the bikes then? I can imagine they're being stored left and right now.

S$49 is around 30€.

German c't magazine did a review of various rental bikes in Germany and found OBike to be the worst by far. They also got their hands on an offer for their bikes. Apparently these bikes cost 69€ (S$112) if you buy 1000 of them.

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#34
post #9

In Australia, oBikes were often thrown in to trees and rivers. They've left Melbourne. [0] [0] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-12/obike-dockless-bicycle...

Our building in Vienna Austria became a dump for those bikes. They keep putting there on our bike stands but the bikes there are so broken that nobody uses them.

They have very cheap brakes that are designed in a way so that they are always slightly braking.

Which is terrible, obviously.

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#35
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's kind of the idea I guess, find a bike and you can ride it. But that's too socialist, no money to be made in that, and a lot of trashed bikes everywhere.

I can tell you haven't tried, because otherwise you'd mention the €79 deposit and that they felt like riding a home trainer. I think it was a scam. The idea was to take people's deposits and then declare bankruptcy.

€79 deposit for a €69 bike (according to c't magazine)

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#36

I’m pretty sure it’s not legal to shut down one subsidary and not return the deposits if the rest of the company continues operating.

Depends on what company did receive the money and is a party in your contract. It might not be the subsidiary.

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#38
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bike sharing company in Singapore. Initially collected a S$49 to use its service. With the deposit paid you were entitled to rent their bikes at S$0.5/15min. Bike were almost everywhere. Initially they had lots of free ride promotions. A few days ago, they claimed that they ceased operations due to newly imposed government restrictions. (To prevent bikes from lying/standing around just about everywhere and have them…

S$49 is I guess not that big a loss for a bicycle, buying one yourself is probably more expensive. What happens to the bikes then? I can imagine they're being stored left and right now.

I haven't tried oBike as I am already customer of two other bike rental schemes in my town (Munich) but from what I see when looking at those and from reports they are really bad in quality and comfort.

As an example here a (German) video comparing oBike and a "normal" bike rolling down a small hill: https://youtu.be/9bTnwJc5gzc

There are probably better ways to spend those bucks.

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looking at aerial photography of Melbourne, it there are an awful lot of cars for a city that takes its liveability seriously. I can't imagine that bikes were taking MORE space than the cars?

Melbourne has the world's largest tram network. It has a massive train 869km train network too, plus current construction of a new $10 billion tunnel in the city center. Cars are allowed in the city center, but they are mostly commercial vehicles (taxis, delivery drivers, construction, etc). Most people use public transport to commute to and from work. Many bike share schemes have been tried, but are not popular in M…

They also get dumped every where. The oBikes look awful too. Ofo bikes are of a reasonable quality but obikes on the other hand have never tempted me to use them.

Re: OBike Refund in Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia

#40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looking at aerial photography of Melbourne, it there are an awful lot of cars for a city that takes its liveability seriously. I can't imagine that bikes were taking MORE space than the cars?

Melbourne has the world's largest tram network. It has a massive train 869km train network too, plus current construction of a new $10 billion tunnel in the city center. Cars are allowed in the city center, but they are mostly commercial vehicles (taxis, delivery drivers, construction, etc). Most people use public transport to commute to and from work. Many bike share schemes have been tried, but are not popular in M…

...bicycles require helmets by law.

So much for taking livability seriously.

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