Are Mobikes Cluttering Up Chiswick?
Complaints that bikes from the new scheme are being randomly left on streets
The Mobike low-cost bike share scheme which was introduced into Chiswick on a trial basis in the past two weeks has provoked a mixed response from residents, with complaints about the bikes being left randomly on local streets. The issue has led to lengthy discussion on our forum.
Hounslow agreed to the bikes in Brentford and Chiswick for a 12-month trial period and docking stations have suddenly appeared throughout W4.
Chiswickw4.com has received complaints from residents in the past week about the orange bikes being randomly abandoned in the middle of pavements, even when a docking station is visibly close. Cyclists use an app to book and dock the bikes, and they are supposed to leave them at a MPL - a Mobike Preferred Location - or a bike rack.
Hounslow Council says it wants to ensure that the bikes don’t lead to obstruction of the footway or take up cycle parking spaces used by existing cyclists, and that it encourages people to report such incidences during the trial. However some people feel it is unfair to have this burden placed on local residents. A Council response to local complaints said ;
"If a cycle is left on-site away from a Hub, there is a stagnation period which will mean Mobike will reach this and redistribute it back to a Hub location. I understand reservations about logging details on the mobile App, so contact can also be made quickly by email or phone 0330 131 9789 if necessary, but we’re also undertaking our own assessment of the scheme via spot visits across the hire zone area during the trial, and continue to liaise with Mobike about this on a regular basis."
The bikes feature an integrated ‘smart lock’ which allows them to be GPS tracked, as well as locking the back wheel when not being used. The expensive 'docking station' such as those needed for the Santander cycles is not needed.
Users can communicate views on the trial with Mobike via their 24 hour contact centre on 0330 131 9789, if there are issues with bikes or their accounts they can be contacted via support.uk@mobike.com, or using the Mobike App.
Mobike, which is a Chinese based firm, entered the UK market in Manchester earlier in summer and picked Ealing borough to deliver its London service with an initial 750 bikes-this has now been extended to Brentford and Chiswick. To hire the bikes users download the Mobike app (Android , IOS), fill in their personal details, pay the deposit, and are ready to go. London users get a discounted deposit of £1. Users are then charged 50p for 30 minutes.
The bikes can be unlocked using a QR code.
A similarly named scheme called Obike was launched in Hammersmith & Fulham by a company from Singapore but caused problems as carelessly abandoned bikes caused obstructions.
The Contact Centre is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and there is an out of hours service, both contacted by telephone on 0330 131 9789 or support.uk@mobike.com You will need the bike number, which is painted on the bike, when you call.
Mobike also operates in 150 cities most recently launching in Florence and Milan. The company raised over $1billion last year and was reportedly valued at up to $3billion.
February 9, 2018