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Unlimited Free Rides Saturday (21/10) & Sunday (22/10) @ oBike (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide)

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Unlimited Free Rides Saturday (21/10) & Sunday (22/10) @ oBike (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide)
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neil on 21/10/2017 - 02:36 facebook.com (731 clicks)
Last edited 21/10/2017 - 10:41

oBike, a dockless bicycle sharing and Yarra river anchor system, is offering unlimited free rides this weekend. For existing users, just scan and use as normal. New users need to put a $79 refundable deposit (or $10 for students).

I've used this overseas so once you have an account you will be able to use it worldwide. I used it in Amsterdam and the bikes were identical.

As for the bikes, they are awful as they are single speed, heavy and have no puncture tires with thick treads. However for relatively short trips they are OK. I was going to use it today anyway as I need to take a one way trip so even better it's free.

Most of the bikes have helmets attached to the lock.

Travel Bicycle

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oBike Australia
oBike Australia

closed Comments

  • happychild100 on 21/10/2017 - 04:06
    +3

    Yeah they aren't in Brisbane or Gold Coast.. :/ They only operate in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

    • LustStarrr on 21/10/2017 - 04:09
      +21

      Or if they are, I've been looking In all the wrong trees & bodies of water, coz I haven't see one yet.

      • happychild100 on 21/10/2017 - 04:15
        +1

        They could be trying to pretend they are the yellow city cycle bikes we have in Brisbane perhaps? Nahhh

      • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 13:03
        +1

        Yes, while they can be domesticated, they can return to the wild rapidly once released.

    • neil on 21/10/2017 - 10:55

      Fixed. Just copied from previous deal.

  • DeepPocketsShortArms on 21/10/2017 - 04:46
    +15

    Can I just throw it in a lake when I've finished with it?

    • androidau on 21/10/2017 - 08:14
      +8

      Such a shame

    • Matt88 on 21/10/2017 - 11:04
      +7

      If you're in Melbourne the Yarra is preferred place to park it

  • Ozbargainite on 21/10/2017 - 07:20

    I was in Melb. for 2 days recently and saw hundreds of these bikes yet never saw a single one being ridden. What gives?

    • garage sale on 21/10/2017 - 07:48
      +11

      won’t see many people riding then because they are very heavy, no gears and not cheap per hour if you ride regularly ( buy yourself a cheap aluminium framed bike).

      they are handy outside apartments as street parking for cars is non existent and many don’t have off street parking so,it’s walk, public transport, ride bike or have your unaffordable share room taken up by a bike, and carry down flights of stairs …. easier to use o bike and leave on the street.

      many in my area have had the locks broken so anybody can bike share regardless of your financial circumstances whether you can afford the deposit or not.

      heavy as hell and a bit small for a 180 cm tall person ….. not designed for australian conditions / aussie physique or long trips. a design not even worth stealing.

      might become a collectors item “design icon” if the system doesn’t take off in australia so you can show future generations what “digital disruption and smart phones and entrepreneurs gave birth to”

      also parts are weird sizes like seat stem tubes so you can’t strip parts and they use some weird parts like 5 sided bolts instead of hex so you can’t adjust many things to suit your body size ….. or strip them.

      maybe these bikes were designed by our politicians in canberra with the same skill set they use for designing our energy policy “ there is a gas shortage for domestic consumption by consumers in the country which is the worlds 2nd largest exporter of gas”.

      • Dacs on 21/10/2017 - 09:41
        +2

        Out of interest, how do you think they should be designed?

        • garage sale on 22/10/2017 - 00:52

          aluminium frame to keep the weight down and gears so that you can actually ride up hills.

          although they are marked as L for size they don’t seem to have as much flexibility for seat height as a normal L bike….. think it’s how they designed the seat post to stop theft, the seat post is a no std size so theft wouldn’t be an issue anyway.

      • rhangman on 21/10/2017 - 11:22
        +1

        Any apartment development that got a parking waiver should have a bunch of bike racks, because apparently somehow according to developers people who cycle don't need a car space even though according to cycling lobby groups, most cyclists own cars. Either way, shouldn't be any reason someone living in an apartment can't own a proper bike.

      • Halsmich on 21/10/2017 - 11:51
        +5

        Can confirm these are heavy. Had to lift a few of these down 3 flights of stairs because some twats decided it would be a good idea to bring them into school and block off some of the pathways.

    • hamwhisperer on 21/10/2017 - 09:14

      I've seen one dude ride one now.

      I might try soon, anyone know how much a single ride actually is?

      • neil on 21/10/2017 - 10:58
        +2

        $1.99 per 30 minutes, charged in 30 minute blocks. However if you sign up with a referral you'll get a bunch of rides and there are coupon codes which also give you $1 off rides.

        In Amsterdam it was €.50 per 30 minutes but lots more bike rental competition.

        • dtrinh on 21/10/2017 - 11:06
          +1

          so if you did 3 trips at 10mins each, will total cost be $1.99 or $5.97?

        • neil on 21/10/2017 - 11:11
          +2

          @dtrinh:

          $5.97. They charge in 30 minute blocks so doesn't matter if it is 1 or 29 minutes. Amsterdam charged in 15 minute blocks.

        • illumination on 21/10/2017 - 12:20

          I signed up using a referral and I also applied credit this app. However, I noticed that my rides did not deduct the promotional credit and just charged it to a free $3 I got for paying a $69 refundable deposit.. so I'm kinda confused as to how the promotional credit works.

          I should write to them.

          edit: Actually, I lie. It did apply promotional credit of $1 from referrals, instead of the $2 credit from the deal I linked to above. And then because my balance is now below $0 it doesn't allow me to unlock anymore bikes without topping up.

        • neil on 21/10/2017 - 12:29

          @illumination:

          Yeah, I had a similar thing. Their system uses the most recently entered promo (mentioned in their FAQ). So if you entered coupons then the deposit deal, it would take the deposit deal first.

          So with all those coupon codes I have a bunch of $1 offs and $2 offs but unfortunately all the $1 off proceed the $2 offs which is annoying.

        • illumination on 21/10/2017 - 12:41

          @neil:

          Their system uses the most recently entered promo (mentioned in their FAQ)

          Damn, I admittedly did not read their FAQ.

          So if you entered coupons then the deposit deal, it would take the deposit deal first.

          The deposit deal is simply a free $3 credit when you make a deposit, not a promotional code that reduces the cost of the trip.

          So with all those coupon codes I have a bunch of $1 offs and $2 offs but unfortunately all the $1 off proceed the $2 offs which is annoying.

          Damn and I guess you can't really reorder it… but yea that makes sense I guess.

          Do you know if you need a positive balance to be able to use their free rides promo?

        • neil on 21/10/2017 - 12:58

          @illumination:

          Do you know if you need a positive balance to be able to use their free rides promo?

          Don't know. I would suspect you would need a positive balance as that makes business sense for them.

        • illumination on 21/10/2017 - 13:09

          @neil: Yea agree. I'll find it later I guess if I try it out.

        • illumination on 28/10/2017 - 17:22

          @illumination:

          Writing to back to confirm that you need a positive balance even on free ride days.

    • scotty on 21/10/2017 - 11:53

      Living near UNSW in Sydney I see them (oBike & Reddy Bike) being ridden all the time.

      • blighst on 21/10/2017 - 11:59
        +1

        Always plenty of both on campus (conveniently located near all the gates) but haven't actually seen many been ridden.

        They must be though as they're always moving around campus.

  • Pollywaffle on 21/10/2017 - 08:59
    +1

    Cool, now I can rent and move the bikes that have been dumped (I mean, parked 'dockless') in front of my house.

    • King Steuart on 21/10/2017 - 09:05

      Can't you just move them anyway?

      • giventofly on 21/10/2017 - 11:29

        Rear wheel is locked

        • King Steuart on 21/10/2017 - 11:48

          Wouldn't stop me from lifting one and moving it to a nearby commercial area. If I didn't live near shops I'd just call O-Bike or the council and tell them to come get it.

  • bryans on 21/10/2017 - 09:04
    +1

    You can also use this hack to get free rides - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl3Gl8w8n-Q

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 21/10/2017 - 16:56
      +1

      Thanks. I was wondering if they used GPS or cellular and it turns out they don't! Very trusting of Australians to make something that can be carried away rely on last known co-ordinates for geolocation.

  • rambutann on 21/10/2017 - 09:14
    +23

    At first I was all for it. Now that I realise that we as a society are too shit to maintain a basic amount of respect, I want them gone.

    Every day on my commute I see piles of them, broken, in trees and almost always dumped on their side. They are an eyesore. What's funny is that I have this opinion and I haven't even seen one in the Yarra yet because I rarely go near it..

    When it first started I went to ride one, only to realise the big issue with having them in Australia… You need helmets.. And surely enough everyone had stolen them also..

    • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 10:12
      +7

      Yep, a sad indictment of the mentality and immaturity of sections of the Australian community. That said the business model needs a lot of work. Somebody suing for injury after falling over one dumped by a bogan would soon sort that out I expect.

      • Diji1 on 21/10/2017 - 12:25
        -7

        a sad indictment of the mentality and immaturity of sections of the Australian community

        Yeah that's a sad indictment on the Australian community.

        More important things are that Australia went to war against a country that didn't attack them, which is a war crime, or that Telstra is getting paid $1000 for every NBN connection because they paid Malcom Turnbull to arrange it that way.

        That's an indictment of the mentality of the Australian community, yourself included.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 18:43
          +3

          It goes without saying that there are FAR more important issues. Happy to debate you on any of them. Turnbull has a lot to answer for wrt the NBN and other issues (energy supply, resource taxes, his personal investment in tax havens, etc etc) but your comment is slanderous garbage. There is plenty of detail and analysis of the Telstra deal, you should try reading some of it.

      • niknah on 21/10/2017 - 14:36
        +3

        It's not always the immature ones, but some times the more mature ones, grumpy old men…

        http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/motoring/on-the…

    • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 12:48

      my thoughts exactly, they are a depressing sight, I want them gone.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 13:02
      +14

      I’d say keep the bikes and get rid of the assholes who throw them in the river. It’s a great idea, ruined by a few assholes.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 13:12
      -7

      What we need is an app, where the populace can compete for points.

      Dump in tree - 10 points.
      Dump in body of water - 15 points.
      Dump in front yard of oBike Director - 100 points.
      Dump pile 10x oBike's into pyramid in coastal park - 300 points.

      AngryChicken - influencer & entrepreneur.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2017 - 13:59

        There's been a mistake.
        That should be +8 votes, not -8 votes.

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 21/10/2017 - 17:06
      +4

      I thought it was just an Australian thing.

      But while commenting on the awesomeness of having all those free BBQs around Australia a Brazilian backpacker tells me with a straight face:

      "Where I live we can't have any street furniture because people would steal it."

      The main difference being that one society has theft due to abject poverty and the other has theft due to the need for hits and giggles.

    • garage sale on 22/10/2017 - 01:04

      i see a lot of them with helmets locked to them and also 7-11 in melbourne sell cheap helmets as part. of the blue bike rental system.

      fallen on their sides is a bigger issue especially near shops,
      port philip council don’t have enough bike racks in popular shopping strips as it eats into footpath dining space and they lease that to cafes for tables.

      bike rental systems need to work with councils so that there are bike racks that can be parked at.

  • mskeggs on 21/10/2017 - 09:17
    +12

    Sadly, the helmet laws make this business hard in Oz. I like the idea, and it is very practical in flat cities.
    I took one for a ride a couple of weeks ago, and they are suitable bikes for tootling around at low speed on the flat, and it was fun to ride about in the city, something I have never done before.
    The $70 deposit is a bit steep.

    I hope after the novelty wears off people will leave the bikes in sensible places.

  • PictureMeBroken on 21/10/2017 - 10:03
    +5

    Australia is not yet ready for this new method. Sad but true.

    • D6C1 on 21/10/2017 - 12:24

      The one at 55 secs made me LOL. That's effort I applaud

  • Crownanchor on 21/10/2017 - 11:14
    +1

    Looks like we can learn from China with these bikes.

    https://youtu.be/kdsb2wwn-7g Interesting insights.

  • DarkOz on 21/10/2017 - 12:27

    Even when I don't use them I think it's a good idea. The problem is the lack of dedicated parking space. Something similar to GoGet would be nice.

    • spedohero on 21/10/2017 - 12:34
      +2

      I thought the selling point of obike is the ability to park anywhere, not in an designated area.

      • Creamsoda on 21/10/2017 - 12:49
        +4

        yeah thats how they pitch it in China when the dockless bikes started. how well did that worked out? massive clutter of bikes everywhere, it became a major social issue. so the government stepped in and the solution is to marked designated parking areas with sensors to limit bike dumping. All that was way before obike even came into Australia.

        • spedohero on 21/10/2017 - 13:39
          -1

          I reckon it is still better to hope on 'free tram' or get your own bike from bigw or Target.

        • Crownanchor on 21/10/2017 - 18:03

          @spedohero:

          Public transport doesnt always take you where you want to get to, it may also be slower and the benefit of these bikes is that you can pick them up everywhere, something you cant always do with your own bike, which maybe at home when you want to travel and your out and about. Probably a lot of obike and Reddy Go users already have bikes at home but use these servises for convinience.

          Was also suprised how much it cost to travel from Redfern station to Erskineville off peak. It was $2.42, these bikes are 43 cents cheaper.

      • DarkOz on 21/10/2017 - 13:07

        They got what they wish for and more…rivers, trees and what next.

  • Creamsoda on 21/10/2017 - 12:39

    crappy money grab Chinese clone company from singapore that brings dockless bikes into Australia but too cheap to clone the Chinese solution of bike dumping (designated marked parking spots with active scanners).

    partly the lazy councils fault for not doing enough research into dockless bikes before letting them in with open arms (to embrace the future).

    • infinite on 21/10/2017 - 15:54
      +1

      These companies operate and roll out their services despite what local councils want, as they don't need any permission or approvals from them to operate as is, currently. Ironically they only need approval from councils if they do apply for the ability to install parking spaces or drop & collect points for them. Obviously your not going to bother with dealing with local councils if you don't have to (as is the same for anyone under any circumstances, to be honest).

  • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 12:45

    tell me, fellow ozbargainers, did we actually need these oBikes in the first place? is someone actually making money out of it? I kinda want them off the street already, because I just don't feel that they belong. They're a sad sight, many of them broken and abused, and they clutter the sidewalks.

    • PictureMeBroken on 21/10/2017 - 13:36
      +6

      Better to have a higher amount of cars around, most of them with one person inside. Collaborative consumption? Who needs that. Let´s continue destroying our environment. Sydney is not ready for it. I have said it before: Our road system is dying under the huge amount of cars everyday.

      And what are people doing do make it better? Nothing. Even destroying any little try of making it better.

      By the way: I have used it, found it great and I am absolutely devastated to see how far behind Sydney is in terms of transport. I can tell you in Japan this would not happen at all.

  • forumninja on 21/10/2017 - 12:48

    Just tried to unlock 3 bikes. They were all broken!

  • Powershopz on 21/10/2017 - 13:12

    This pretty much sums it up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5e-fhUCxmk

    • malouphix on 21/10/2017 - 14:11

      "JulianRoyale
      2 weeks ago (edited)
      Brilliant mate haha. Singaporeans don't know that in Australia we have a lot of c#nts."

  • niknah on 21/10/2017 - 14:42

    I just spotted another new company doing this(near Sydney Olympic Park)…
    http://earthbike.com.au/

    I suspect the investors of these companies are the same people that invest in Tesla, another environment friendly company that loses money year after year.

  • infinite on 21/10/2017 - 15:46
    -3

    These things weigh heaps. Some asshat dumped one of these outside my bro's apartment and it took a good amount of effort to launch it off the 4th story where he lives. They must be a pain in the ass to ride up & down the hills of Sydney.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/10/2017 - 19:55

    Don't worry, I'm sure this company makes lots of money.

    I read a discussion somewhere that it has millions of users who leave significant deposits (can't remember the sum between 20-100 in the country's respective currencies). The ratio of registered users to bikes are quite low so much less is needed for fleet maintenance.

    The companies then use the rest of the deposit money as capital for investments.

    • Crownanchor on 21/10/2017 - 21:18

      The info about the company and the profitability of this, is that the company attracts investors funds and makes its money on the investment money, then afterwards doesnt care much about the bikes. Yes there is also the deposits that the company has, which can be quite a large amount. It seems the profitability of this system would be difficult to be realised based on the low cost of the service and all the maintenance and bad press, plus other copy cat competitors.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2017 - 00:39

      If they go bust, the registered users will be unsecured creditors - way down the list when it comes to any payments from the administration.

      Mark my words…

      • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2017 - 02:09

        and its such a small sum, most people will just chalk it up to usage expenses.

        The users are literally just that, millions of unsecured creditors.

      • Tony76 on 22/10/2017 - 08:00

        That's precisely why I never completed the signup process. The deposit is ridiculous. I'd be happy to pay the fee via PayPal, but I won't be putting a $60 deposit down that I figure will vaporise in a year or so. Besides, all the bikes near me have had their locks cut with boltcutters, so I ride for free.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2017 - 13:51

          Trojan 350mm Bolt Cutters, $24.98.

          Bunnings Warehouse - Lowest prices are just the beginning.

  • garage sale on 22/10/2017 - 01:36

    so if I ride one and it wasnt properly maintained eg loose steering which many have or faulty brakes and it crashes and i’m injured, can you sue the o bike company for negligence as you used a paid service but they didn’t maintain the bikes in a suitable manner ?

    • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2017 - 14:10

      Well they've tried to contract out of all liability.
      Note especially clauses 5.1 & 6.1.

      This needs to be understood in the context of State legislation, especially in relation to "obvious risks" and "recreational activities". For NSW check out the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), especially ss 5J-5N.

      This is a complex area so no definitive answers i'm afraid, but it's not looking good for you…

      This message approved by AngryChicken.

      • Tony76 on 22/10/2017 - 14:21

        5.1, (j) Contact the local police immediately and in the second instance, Us, via email, in the event of:
        • theft or vandalism of Our bike, or part thereof.

        Hmm, the cops will be busy!

      • Tony76 on 22/10/2017 - 14:23

        2.2.2 When you request a refund of this Deposit via Our App function, subject to you returning Our bike to one of Our designated bike racks, Our Third Party Provider will notify and authorise the financial institution of Your Nominated Card to return the Deposit, in full, to Your Nominated Card.

        Given that they don't have designated racks, could this make a refund difficult?

  • JUSTINO on 22/10/2017 - 11:27

    O bike is so bad I wouldn’t recommend to anybody. people just dump them and it is just bad

  • CLoSeR on 22/10/2017 - 14:00
    +1

    Sydney was better before these bikes started appearing few months back, they are littered everywhere.

    • beesider on 22/10/2017 - 19:18
      +1

      How do you see bike sharing without having bikes all around the city?

      • CLoSeR on 22/10/2017 - 19:24

        Designated locations where they can be left rather than littered across the footpath, side of the road, tram stop, park, etc. They are everywhere and it looks terrible.

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