BCycle 4+

My husband and I just visited Austin and used these bikes and walking almost exclusively while in the city. Great idea, great way to see the city, lots of convenient docking sites. The reason for three stars… bikes need more regular maintenance checks, as quite a few were damaged or missing batteries. The biggest problem is that while there are often e-bikes available, they are never charged. You find one to none that are charged and ready to ride at each docking station. We noticed the solar panels, but if that alone is used to charge them, then they are not able to charge overnight or on overcast days. We would stop at each dock along our route to dock to avoid additional charges and also to “upgrade “ our bikes to charged ones if possible. You can just peddle these bikes but they’re not great for that and you would be better off renting a non e-bicycle elsewhere. Also, on one occasion we tried to unlock a fully charged bike but the app didn’t show that it was docked so we couldn’t get it. Anyhow, if you could fix the charging issues then this would be an almost perfect win.

Firstly, I really want to love this company, the concept is great! Unfortunately the app works about 60% of the time, most of the time it is incorrect; either with showing bikes available or showing parking available, both incorrect. Most of the time when I go to rent a bike, I look on the app to see how many bikes are available at the docks near me, I walk to a dock thinking that I will be able to get a bike, only to get there and find that either- there are less bikes than the app stated, or there are bikes under maintenance, the app will literally only update once I reach the dock. I try again…..hoping the same thing won’t happen, it often does OR someone else beats me to the dock in the 5-7 min it takes to walk to the next closest dock. It usually takes 20-30 min to actually find a bike to rent. They need a way to offer a reservation for at least a 10 min window. It is also very annoying when I look on the app to see where I can park my bike to return it and I get there and find that the dock has no space. Not ideal, very frustrating. I really want to give this company a chance as I love the concept, but I have had a monthly pass for 2 months now and the above issues have come up time & time again. I have contacted Customer Service (today at 7:38pm) and they don’t seem to care in the slightest. If things don’t change in the next 30 days I will definitely be cancelling my membership, it is not worth the frustration. I’d rather give my $$ to Uber or Lyft.

On two occasions I would take bike out “successfully” and it would read ERROR in RED. Yesterday… it did that again and I tried re doing it.. and after 3 FAILED attempts of the bike getting unlocked but showing as “failed attempt”, I tried being correct and putting it back in so it is on record of what bike I took out… it told me I was over my limit!!! Then, my friend tried paying for me EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A MEMBERSHIP. And guess what? It took her money, but didn’t let me take a bike out so she needs her money back for sure. This app needs an update and I don’t need a limit for something I paid for as a member, especially when it’s the app’s fault. Please fix. I DIDN’T even get to ride! I couldn’t even call customer service because it was 6 pm. And then I’ve sent emails. Hopefully this gets resolved… but I’m frustrated as I did not get my workout in. AND it took my friends money. I gave this 5 stars but I’m taking it down to 3 as it is taking money and not providing the service I paid for.