http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 9:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 9:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
btw the communal bike thing is not a new idea at all. we've had this forever in Madison WI and im sure its not the only place. the GPS stuff is pretty cool though. ]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Sorry. Feel free to replace iPhone with Evo, BB, Galaxy S, Incredible, Droid X, or Dell Streak or any other $200-$300 device.
Carry on.]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Having a phone isn't even a requirement. But I'm guessing having a credit card to register is (not sure what they have other options to verify ID).
http://www.socialbicycles.com/design/

Read the "Registration Process" bit.

]]>Aug 11th 2010 11:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Shared bikes are not hip, they are just plain convenient. In Barcelona for 25 euros per year I have access to thousands of bikes and I don't need to worry about stolen parts, maintenance or carrying it up to my apartment.

Probably the thing is we're not afraid to be called communists here.]]>Aug 12th 2010 12:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/There are trustafarians in Wisconsin? Who knew.

My mountain bike is a fixie, but that's just because the derailleurs are broken...]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
I have an iPhone 3GS and I own a $2000 Cannondale road bike.]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
It's for the people in NYC who own cars but get sick of the traffic congestion. They'll park, find the bike, then proceed to zip past cars.]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
"theses bikes will have to be fixed one speeds to appeal to the iPhone toting hipster dbags that pretend to be poor... sorry i just moved to downtown Milwaukee and theses stupid dbags are everywhere."

I have an iPhone 3GS and I own a $2000 road bike (30-speed). Bikes have the same legal rights to be on the road as cars. Don't like it? Tough luck iHater, deal with it :-D]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
"I have an iPhone 3GS and I own a $2000 road bike (30-speed). Bikes have the same legal rights to be on the road as cars. Don't like it? Tough luck iHater, deal with it :-D"

So, "iPhone and $2K road bike owner".
Sounds about right. I bet you shave your legs too.]]>Aug 12th 2010 9:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Surprisingly, I do better on hills than I did with my old bike. I live on top of a very large hill and I am much faster with the fixie. Maybe I'm just getting stronger or maybe the gear ratio is just better.

Either way, don't knock it 'til you try it. You are true though, a lot of d-bags ride fixed gears. ]]>Aug 12th 2010 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 12th 2010 2:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 9:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/How bout Bike+?]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
It is a fixie. So it should be iFix. ]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Good point. I ride my bike to the grocery store all the time. And it would really, really piss me off to come out with my bags, and realize i had to walk home. Would it be a dick move to use a different, non-GPS lock until you're done with your errands?]]>Aug 11th 2010 9:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/get a separate bike lock and the gps won't turn on]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 11:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
I'd assume that when you get the bike you get it for a rental period.]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 9:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Don't forget to clean the seat before riding!]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 11:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 11:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 11:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Also, it would be more annoying to find your own bike missing.]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 11:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
You can register on PC or Kiosk. You don't have to use the app. The app allows the following, apparently:

- view a map of you travel habits and share online
- see how many calories you've burned
- volume of greenhouse gases that you've kept out of the atmosphere (not including your own)
- see if friends are biking nearby or if you have crossed paths during the day

Looking at what that does, I am interested in a total of zero out of the four points there.

Make a Symbian version or New York City are corporate shills for Android and Apple. Everyone knows cyclists favour small-screen phones :)

(but I'll still never use the app)






]]>Aug 11th 2010 11:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
1. Find closest available bike
2. Unlock bike and pay for use (small fee, sometimes below $1 depending on usage)
3. Read reviews on the bike, find a specific type of bike.
4. Report flat tire, broken light or other issues so previous rider is blamed.
5. Get information on where you can make money by parking the bike because of high demand.]]>Aug 11th 2010 11:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Under "Fleet Management Tools" they mention some of that. A financial reward is given to return bikes to hubs with a low amount of bikes. That is definitely useful. Not sure why that wasn't listed under the "Interactive Features for Users" heading.

Hitting the Repair button on the unit alerts the system of a faulty bike, too. Listed under "Locking The Bike" heading.

http://www.socialbicycles.com/design/


]]>Aug 11th 2010 11:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
No way. Android is the most absolute garbage OS, even WinMo is better. The iPhone was the correct and PERFECT choice and will always be. You don't know anything and you're just an iHater. Deal with it.]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/it's not called the big apple for nothing]]>Aug 12th 2010 4:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
It would have GPS, 3G transmitter, and smart features built in. And it would be installed securely on any bike design as well as charge with a generator on the wheel.

The system would then include, buy an intelligent lock for your bike, share you bike, get it back later, or use anyone elses bike when you need it. It could even be, "earn some money by sharing your bike and getting it back later".]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Front wheel/seat of that bike stolen in 3... 2... 1...]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Aug 11th 2010 10:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/
Might as well call this program the iPhone bicycle club.]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/social-bicycles-bike-sharing-system-powered-by-iphone-app-to-hit/Depending on the # of participants which is in turn related to the eventual membership requirements vs. fee schedule; and allowing for Murphy's Law which is stronger in NYC than in any other place in the known universe...
1. If you ride a bike to any destination, it will be gone when you come out.
2. Anything that can be stolen, will be stolen. In NYC, forget "anything not nailed down"; they'll steal the nails, the table, the building the table was in, and the street adjacent, just for yucks.]]>Aug 11th 2010 10:40PM