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Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

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Re: Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

#121

Post by AndrewWarner »

tgb wrote: post #33

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but how does an electric bike that can be locked anywhere get charged? Do they have people going around replacing the batteries when they get low? How long does a battery last anyway? Edit: solar panel judging off pictures of the Jump bikes?

Yup. Solar. The JUMP app actually shows each bike's location and how much power it has.

Yesterday I picked one up that was in the shade all day and lost power 10 blocks from my house. It was a huge difference. Those bikes are heavy so they're harder to pedal without power.

Re: Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

#122

Post by poyu »

dmix wrote: post #99
AndrewWarner wrote: post #16

I rode a Jump bike to work today. It's a magical experience. Just as I struggle a bit to get up a hill, the bike's pedal assist kicks in and helps me out. Ditto for when I'm stopped at a red light and need to get riding fast. The best part of these bikes are the fact that when I get to my destination, I can lock them up to the closest pole or bike rack and just go.

What does 'dockless' bike sharing mean in practice. Where do you pick up the ebikes? From the previous rider directly? How does charging the bikes work (or do they self charge via friction)?

I think it means you can lock the bike anywhere you want, and the app can tell you what bikes are near you. You just need to walk up to it and unlock with your phone.

Re: Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

#124

Post by birdsink »

sharpercoder wrote: post #115

1) it is showing pictures of a human riding a bicycle with a helmet. Please don't promote helmets on bikes: they reduce safety (for people 12+ yo). 2) I get a 404 (NL) 3) JUMP is not linked - I don't know what it is untill I reach the bottom of the page. 4) Although it is mentioned on the page, it is not very clear this is SF only.

After some quick google searching, I can't find any evidence supporting #1. (So in the mean time while we figure this out, you should probably still wear helmets while cycling, folks).

Re: Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

#126

Post by vkou »

thomasahle wrote: post #80
vkou wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why are colorful bikes left on sidewalks an eyesore, but rows and rows of cars parked next to sidewalks not?

Don't the cars have to pay? Otherwise it seems fair that they should compete for the space.

1. No, most curb parking in most of the United States is free.

2. Where they do have to pay, they pay way under true market value of the land.

Re: Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

#127

Post by dmix »

gamblor956 wrote: post #107
cpsempek wrote: post #44

First of all, this is great. The thing that bike share programs lack IMO is the tech and logistics savvy of a company like uber. In Santa Monica and the west side of LA we have an electric scooter service called Bird, which was started by a ex-lyft/uber excec, and it has been successfull from an outsider's perspective. The most convenient aspect of this service is that you can drop off the scooter anywhere you want,…

The main problem with the Byrd scooters is that the users turn them into safety hazards after they use them. Every time I see one of those Byrd scooters blocking the sidewalk, I physically throw them out of the way. About half the time, they form safety hazards blocking the sidewalk (and in rare cases, part of traffic lanes). There were two blocking the Metro station last week. I threw them in the bushes. The sheriff…

Like all new technology and adoption patterns the cities will adapt. Just like the flourish of bike lanes and places to lock bikes in most major cities around the world as urban bike commuting rose in popularity.

Eventually the users, company, and cities will adapt and provide better training and designated spots. Assholes abuse every service available to the public. Hell, even social pressure and ridicule from the public may even help solve this problem as people learn to spot someone being an asshole and leaving a scooter somewhere in the way.

Although Im sure plenty of cities will rush to ban them rather than adapt and update old rules to modern technolohical progress. Then stick their fingers in their ears pretending there isnt real value and huge demand for the services, or lessons to be learned from other cities who learned to adapt rather than fight progress.

Re: Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

#128

Post by sharpercoder »

birdsink wrote: post #124
sharpercoder wrote: post #115

1) it is showing pictures of a human riding a bicycle with a helmet. Please don't promote helmets on bikes: they reduce safety (for people 12+ yo). 2) I get a 404 (NL) 3) JUMP is not linked - I don't know what it is untill I reach the bottom of the page. 4) Although it is mentioned on the page, it is not very clear this is SF only.

After some quick google searching, I can't find any evidence supporting #1. (So in the mean time while we figure this out, you should probably still wear helmets while cycling, folks).

http://bigthink.com/neurobonkers/the-bike-helmet-paradox

This article makes an important point: studies prove people in accidents have significantly reduced head damage. However, not many studies prove that it makes bicycling safer: instead, cyclers are perceived safer, and therefore it is unsafer.

Re: Uber Bike – A New Way to Commute or Explore

#129

Post by sharpercoder »

oculusthrift wrote: post #117
sharpercoder wrote: post #115

1) it is showing pictures of a human riding a bicycle with a helmet. Please don't promote helmets on bikes: they reduce safety (for people 12+ yo). 2) I get a 404 (NL) 3) JUMP is not linked - I don't know what it is untill I reach the bottom of the page. 4) Although it is mentioned on the page, it is not very clear this is SF only.

proof for #1?

http://bigthink.com/neurobonkers/the-bike-helmet-paradox
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