Velib like bicycle rental kiosks are being constructed in Dublin

blorg · 18-09-2009 01:16PM

blue chuzzle wrote: »

what happens if you rent a bike, leave it back to a stand and walk away only for someone else to come along 10 minutes later with a hammer and bash the bike to bits?

Your responsibility ends I believe when you check the bike back in.

What if you rented a bike, left it back to a stand, went to the pub, rented another bike, went for a bite to eat, rented another bike, went to cinema, rented another, went home, tucked up in bed, only for someone to break into your house, creep up to your bedroom and with nary a ring of the conveniently located bell bludgeon you to death with the very dublinbike you rented first that evening? While you were not wearing your sleeping helmet.

What then? I think we can agree the scheme would be seen as a disaster.

loyatemu · 18-09-2009 01:18PM

I've used these a few times now and love the system - the bikes are pretty easy to ride and comfortable.

One thing you notice though is how awkward it is to get around all the one-way systems in the City Centre, particularly if you don't fancy taking the quays.

tomasrojo · 18-09-2009 01:19PM

blorg wrote: »

Your responsibility ends I believe when you check the bike back in.

What if you rented a bike, left it back to a stand, went to the pub, rented another bike, went for a bite to eat, rented another bike, went to cinema, rented another, went home, tucked up in bed, only for someone to break into your house, creep up to your bedroom and with nary a ring of the conveniently located bell bludgeon you to death with the very dublinbike you rented first that evening? While you were not wearing your sleeping helmet.

What then? I think we can agree the scheme would be seen as a disaster.

A chilling, and all too realistic scenario. Be careful out there, everyone.

tomasrojo · 18-09-2009 01:20PM

loyatemu wrote: »

I've used these a few times now and love the system - the bikes are pretty easy to ride and comfortable.

One thing you notice though is how awkward it is to get around all the one-way systems in the City Centre, particularly if you don't fancy taking the quays.

I'm hoping that if it's a success it'll make DCC have a think about making areas more permeable to cyclists.

Ste.phen · 18-09-2009 01:50PM

loyatemu wrote: »

I've used these a few times now and love the system - the bikes are pretty easy to ride and comfortable.

One thing you notice though is how awkward it is to get around all the one-way systems in the City Centre, particularly if you don't fancy taking the quays.

Perfect example, I'm most likely to use this from Baggot St Lower (James St East station) to Stephen's Green (Clarendon St station), my routes are either:
Fitzwilliam St (Lwr), Merrion Square, Ely Place, Hume St, Stephen's Green East, Stephen's Green North

or

Fitzwilliam St (upper), Leeson St, Stephen's Green East, Stephen's Green North

Both of which are a fair bit longer than the possible (were the one-way systems allowing bikes run in contra-flow): Baggot St lower, Merrion Row, Stephen's Green North route.

Jawgap · 18-09-2009 02:00PM

blorg wrote: »

Your responsibility ends I believe when you check the bike back in.

What if you rented a bike, left it back to a stand, went to the pub, rented another bike, went for a bite to eat, rented another bike, went to cinema, rented another, went home, tucked up in bed, only for someone to break into your house, creep up to your bedroom and with nary a ring of the conveniently located bell bludgeon you to death with the very dublinbike you rented first that evening? While you were not wearing your sleeping helmet.

What then? I think we can agree the scheme would be seen as a disaster.

That's it!! I'm giving up going to the cinema!!:)

DualFrontDiscs · 18-09-2009 02:02PM

Jawgap wrote: »

That's it!! I'm giving up going to the cinema!!:)

All those people with hammers in a darkened hall?

JacksonHeightsOwn · 18-09-2009 02:02PM

i have to say, the website is pure crap, talk about confusing

the one question i want answered it doesnt have

with an annual ticket, do you have to bring the bike back on the same day?

DualFrontDiscs · 18-09-2009 02:05PM

chrisbonnie wrote: »

i have to say, the website is pure crap, talk about confusing

the one question i want answered it doesnt have

with an annual ticket, do you have to bring the bike back on the same day?

http://www.dublinbikes.ie/how_does_it_work/frequently_asked_questions/stations_and_bikes_dbs#faq0

What happens if I don’t return the db before 12.30am?
You can return your db at any station 24 hours a day. However you cannot hire a db between the hours of 12.30am and 5am.

Can I use a db for more than one day?
dublinbikes allow you to rent a db for no more than 24 hours. The system has been devised for short journeys and ensures that dbs are available for all to use. If you do not return your db within 24 hours, the deposit of €150 is automatically debited from your credit card or bank account and dublinbikes will seek to recover the db.

+1 on the site being 'poor'.

DFD.

Floodzie · 18-09-2009 02:05PM

tomasrojo wrote: »

I'm hoping that if it's a success it'll make DCC have a think about making areas more permeable to cyclists.

This looks good http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0909/1224254134575.html

I lived in The Netherlands for a bit (between Leiden and Noordwijk) and outside of the city centres they have bicycle lanes away from traffic - two lanes each going both ways on either side of the road, separated from traffic by a verge. Really cool. Not sure we'll ever see something like that here though (outside of the lane in the above link) but we should definitely push for it. Just painting a line alongside a busy road and designating it a bike lane is a bit of a joke. It'll just result in seeing more ghost bikes around the city, sadly: http://www.ghostbikes.org/dublin

It's difficult to change a medieval city like Dublin but surely all new developments and roads must consider cyclists and trams.

Although as someone has already pointed out, Amsterdam city centre doesn't have bicycle lanes that are much better than here, but they DO have a lot of bikes.

Chips Lovell · 18-09-2009 02:05PM

chrisbonnie wrote: »

with an annual ticket, do you have to bring the bike back on the same day?

Try the FAQ page

the website wrote:

Can I use a db for more than one day?

dublinbikes allow you to rent a db for no more than 24 hours. The system has been devised for short journeys and ensures that dbs are available for all to use. If you do not return your db within 24 hours, the deposit of €150 is automatically debited from your credit card or bank account and dublinbikes will seek to recover the db.

Jawgap · 18-09-2009 02:11PM

Floodzie wrote: »

........ Just painting a line alongside a busy road a designating it a bike lane is a bit of a joke.......

Actually it's not. It's a very clever idea. It shoes the engineers, workmen and street cleaners where they can sweep all the assorted debris, glass, stones etc from the "proper" road for it to be stored away from motorists:)

Jawgap · 18-09-2009 02:13PM

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

All those people with hammers in a darkened hall?

No, it's all those people following me home and leaving their db's outside my house with mine.:)

claiva · 18-09-2009 02:20PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Actually it's not. It's a very clever idea. It shoes the engineers, workmen and street cleaners where they can sweep all the assorted debris, glass, stones etc from the "proper" road for it to be stored away from motorists:)

I assume you meant to say "shows" !

Pedantry aside, excellent observation old bean.

Its flippin annoying having to constantly veer all over the shop dodging all that crap.

I really feel like us cyclists are gonna have our day in the sun soon !!!!

One big mass conversion on the quays ought to do it.

BostonB · 18-09-2009 02:25PM

Painted lines like parking or the yellow lines only work if it's enforced.

BostonB · 18-09-2009 02:28PM

I'd have to agree in terms of routes Dublin city is quite cycling unfriendly. I find it easier to go the long way around. Most of time.

ArmaniJeanss · 18-09-2009 02:33PM

BostonB wrote: »

Painted lines like parking or the yellow lines only work if it's enforced.

Aye.
I'm sure all the regular cyclists (on your norm bikes !!!) here know this already, but as a newbie this week its amazing the way van drivers seem to see bike lanes as the bit of the road that they can stick their van on which when combined with another 2 foot of pavement gives the perfect parking spot to make deliveries and apparently not be interfering with anyone.

Jawgap · 18-09-2009 02:34PM

claiva wrote: »

I assume you meant to say "shows" !

Pedantry aside, excellent observation old bean.

Its flippin annoying having to constantly veer all over the shop dodging all that crap.

I really feel like us cyclists are gonna have our day in the sun soon !!!!

One big mass conversion on the quays ought to do it.

I did!! The "e" and the "w" are too close together!!! Or my fingers are too thick!

We had our day in the sun this year - Last wednesday. That's it now until June 2010:)

Blowfish · 18-09-2009 02:43PM

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Aye.
I'm sure all the regular cyclists (on your norm bikes !!!) here know this already, but as a newbie this week its amazing the way van drivers seem to see bike lanes as the bit of the road that they can stick their van on which when combined with another 2 foot of pavement gives the perfect parking spot to make deliveries and apparently not be interfering with anyone.

What's also annoying are the ones that think that by sticking on their hazard lights it's now magically ok to park illegally and obstruct traffic.

blorg · 18-09-2009 04:00PM

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Aye.
I'm sure all the regular cyclists (on your norm bikes !!!) here know this already, but as a newbie this week its amazing the way van drivers seem to see bike lanes as the bit of the road that they can stick their van on which when combined with another 2 foot of pavement gives the perfect parking spot to make deliveries and apparently not be interfering with anyone.

They are legally allowed to do this if the cycle lane is a dashed line- you can park in them for up to 30 minutes to make deliveries IF there is no other convenient parking available. I know well they do it in solid line lanes as well although it is not quite as common.

BostonB · 18-09-2009 04:25PM

Most cyclist don't seem to realise this going by all the fist shaking and shouting you see.

Dandelion6 · 18-09-2009 05:57PM

loyatemu wrote: »

One thing you notice though is how awkward it is to get around all the one-way systems in the City Centre, particularly if you don't fancy taking the quays.

That's the only real problem I've noticed with the system (I've been using it all week and love it). Plus, the bike stations all seem to be located on one-way streets going the opposite direction from where I want to go.

JacksonHeightsOwn · 18-09-2009 07:40PM

DualFrontDiscs wrote: »

http://www.dublinbikes.ie/how_does_it_work/frequently_asked_questions/stations_and_bikes_dbs#faq0

What happens if I don’t return the db before 12.30am?
You can return your db at any station 24 hours a day. However you cannot hire a db between the hours of 12.30am and 5am.

Can I use a db for more than one day?
dublinbikes allow you to rent a db for no more than 24 hours. The system has been devised for short journeys and ensures that dbs are available for all to use. If you do not return your db within 24 hours, the deposit of €150 is automatically debited from your credit card or bank account and dublinbikes will seek to recover the db.

+1 on the site being 'poor'.

DFD.

like i said, it has no info what so ever

ArmaniJeanss · 18-09-2009 08:44PM

blorg wrote: »

They are legally allowed to do this if the cycle lane is a dashed line- you can park in them for up to 30 minutes to make deliveries IF there is no other convenient parking available. I know well they do it in solid line lanes as well although it is not quite as common.

Cheers, I obviously didn't know this as I've been shaking my fist Simpsons style at various cycle-lane obstructionists over the last week.

So much I don't know.
Am I entitled to be in the middle/right of the bus lane if there is no seperate cycle lane? Coming down Dawson St this evening I stayed in the right of the buslane because I wanted to be able to smoothly move into the righthand lane on Nassau St so as not to be trapped behind the buses pulling in outside Elverys. This led to an irate Bus Eireann driver beeping at me for the last 50 metres of the Dawson St bus lane and making strange hand gestures at me when he passed me in Dame St.

DualFrontDiscs · 18-09-2009 08:57PM

chrisbonnie wrote: »

like i said, it has no info what so ever

So overnight is okay, but not more than 24 elapsed hours.

DFD.

SerialComplaint · 19-09-2009 08:03AM

Floodzie wrote: »

They've learned a lot from Paris, and they seem to have addressed the problems they had there (mainly bikes being nicked because you couldn't be sure they were locked properly. The ones here give a beep when locked correctly).

It is a bit silly of them to devise a system that won't work for deaf people. One in seven people have some kind of hearing impairment.

Ste.phen · 19-09-2009 08:36AM

There's green lights that come on when it locks, and apparently there's a way to print out a receipt confirming the bike's been returned properly but I haven't tried that.

You can also check if the bike is available for re-hire on the kiosk thingy
Oh, and if its locked in properly, you won't be able to move it :P

petethedrummer · 19-09-2009 10:38AM

What about blind people? Why aren't there tandems available.

DualFrontDiscs · 19-09-2009 11:24AM

petethedrummer wrote: »

What about blind people? Why aren't there tandems available.

I think it would be dangerous enough to have blind people cycling DublinBikes, without risking a passenger too.

DFD.

petethedrummer · 19-09-2009 11:45AM

The sighted person does the steering.

Velib like bicycle rental kiosks are being constructed in Dublin

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