tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704523265102230674.post8531743655532307731..comments2023-09-06T00:26:07.613+10:00Comments on Bosco Parrasio: Melbourne Bike ShareKatyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09196579501052471510noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704523265102230674.post-51116980701121121242010-10-16T11:00:59.055+11:002010-10-16T11:00:59.055+11:00I know, I am sceptical about the helmet thing. I t...I know, I am sceptical about the helmet thing. I think it will work for tourists but not really so well for general use, especially as there are only two places to rent them atm, which kinda misses the point of the scheme.<br />That said I don't think Melbourne should abandon the scheme simply because of the helmet laws, perhaps it will never have the usage of other cities until helmet laws are relaxed but I disagree that it can't work at all. <br />Also I think a big issue is simply that Melbourne (really Australia) is not that much of a bike city, loads of people have never ridden a bike, or not since they were kids. I think this will slowly change.Katyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196579501052471510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704523265102230674.post-3624740849944082782010-10-15T18:06:27.906+11:002010-10-15T18:06:27.906+11:00Usage looks pretty lame compared to the other sche...Usage looks pretty lame compared to the other schemes around the world. Just look at DublinBikes usage - I don't think Melbourne can blame the weather on low use!<br /><br />http://oobrien.com/vis/bikes/?city=melbourne<br /><br />Great bikes but a waste of time in countries with mandatory helmet laws. Sure, some people will use it regardless and BYO helmet and some will continue to use them without helmets (there are quite a few doing this) but many are being put off by it.<br /><br />Helmet rentals are a waste of time unless every station can rent/return a helmet and who wants to buy more than one helmet - that's not very good for the environment...<br /><br />Primal TunaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704523265102230674.post-52896564234258796102010-10-11T16:27:54.089+11:002010-10-11T16:27:54.089+11:00I think the $300 security deposit is not actually ...I think the $300 security deposit is not actually charged to your account but rather reserved. e.g. if you have a $500 credit limit on your credit card, MBS will reserve $300 of it meaning that your available balance will reduce to $200 until your hiring period is over and MBS releases the amount. Am pretty sure only 2 bikes can be hired per credit card. <br />I have a annual subscription and have probably already saved more than the $50 fee in public transport costs and time (compared to walking). <br />I live a short walk from a station so the helmet issue is not a major problem for me however, if I didn't live nearby I'd probably never use the bikes. I use them to get to or from home and not for adhoc biking.<br />I too wish there were more stations in the inner suburbs like Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, South Yarra and North Melbourne. <br />Oh yeah, light is effective so others can see you coming but not very useful for seeing where you are going. I discovered the bell by accident. It's very useful when overtaking pedestrians on shared pathways.Pavlichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704523265102230674.post-36964571716749454382010-10-11T10:00:23.031+11:002010-10-11T10:00:23.031+11:00Hey thanks for the info. I will check out the bell...Hey thanks for the info. I will check out the bell today. <br />I have noticed some students using them for that route into the city, and the bikes are definitely moving around more and more at the Uni bike racks. I have ridden them from Uni into the CBD and it is great, so quick and there is a proper bike lane for a lot of it. A student came up and did 20 questions on the bikes with me on Friday.<br />I think the idea of a forum is a good one, would definitely be interested if you (or they) set it up.<br /><br />That's interesting and good re the security deposits, obviously a misconception on my part, but I had read the info several times as it seemed such an odd thing to to. I also have seen others mention it so they should probably address thisKatyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09196579501052471510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3704523265102230674.post-3788515907839542102010-10-10T23:43:27.864+11:002010-10-10T23:43:27.864+11:00Do you notice many students using the bikes to Mel...Do you notice many students using the bikes to Melbourne Uni? I would have thought it would be an ideal ride from Flinders St station or Central, when the trams are so often overcrowded.<br /><br />BTW they do have a bell! It's on the left handlebar, underneath it. You can hit it with your left thumb. Actually you kind of 'roll' it. It's a little strange. As for maps, I printed out a copy of the Google Map on the website that has the stations marked. Not ideal, but a start. If you have a internet-enabled phone, try this website - http://bikeshare.tel/<br /><br />Totally agree about the ineptitude of the website. I wish they had a forum or mailing list where users could talk to each other. Half thought of setting one up myself, but not motivated enough yet... And the "trip history" - only five per page?! And you can't export them? It's a bit of a half-hearted effort.<br /><br />Re security deposits - I am not sure what they mean by that, because I got a daily and a weekly pass before I bought the yearly, and with those they only charged me $2.50 and $8, as advertised. I guess they only invoke the "security deposit" if you don't return the bike?pfctdayelisehttp://brianna.laugher.id.au/blognoreply@blogger.com